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MEMOIRS 

OF 

MRS. MARY COOPER, 

OF LONDON, 

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE, JUNE 22, 1812, 

IN THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER AGE; 

EXTRACTED FROM HER 

DIARY AND EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE, 
BY ADAM CLARKE, LL. D. 



NEW-YORK, 
PUBLISHED BY B. WAUGH AND T. MASON, 

For the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference 
..Office, 14 Crosby-street. 

J. Collord, Printer. 
1832. 






«+- 



ADVERTISEMENT. 

4- 

- 

The editor of these papers had the pleasure 

| of a short acquaintance with the late Mrs. 

| Cooper, eldest daughter of John Hanson, Esq., 

I a worthy and respectable magistrate of the 

county of Middlesex ; and, in conjunction with 

her friends, he deplores the premature death of 

a woman, of whom he feels no hesitation to 

say, that her understanding was sound, her 

mind carefully cultivated, her charity unbounded, 

her faith unfeigned, her piety deep and rational ; 

and her religious life without blemish. This is 

certainly saying a great deal; but not more 

than the subject most completely warrants. 

The mind of Mrs. Cooper was of no com- 
mon mould ; and this, her Diary, and Letters, 
from which the following extracts are made, 
sufficiently prove. The Diary she had kept 
carefully concealed, even from her most inti- 
mate friends ; and certainly never wrote it to 
meet the eye of man. As her heart dictated, 
and as occurrences presented themselves, so she 
wrote. To speak incorrectly she could not : 
to wait to revise and polish, she had neither 



4 ADVERTISEMENT. 

time nor inclination, as she wrote exclusively 
for her own instruction ; and the improvement 
of her heart was the grand object at which she 
aimed. When this was attained, the manner in 
which it was accomplished was of no import- 
ance ; as the whole, from beginning to end, was 
designed to be a secret correspondence with 
herself. Let this be the apology of the work, 
where the matter may appear diffuse and inarti- 
ficial ; and the language negligent. To have 
suppressed the following extracts on such 
accounts, would have been a real injury to all 
who shall have the opportunity of reading them : 
as it may be safely presumed, that no unpreju- 
diced person can peruse this little volume, 
without having his heart religiously affected, 
and his mind considerably improved. 

The advantages which this excellent young 
woman derived from a religious education, were 
many and important. Her pious parents taught 
her to fear God from her youth. The great 
and momentous truths of the religion of Christ, 
they carefully inculcated on her mind and heart, 
from her earliest years : they showed her, not 
only in their precepts, but also in their life and 
conversation, how she should walk and please 
God. They were workers together with him, 






ADVERTISEMENT. 5 

and he blessed the work of their hands. In all 
the branches of their very respectable and orderly 
family, they have proved the unfailing truth of 
that Divine saying, Train up a child in the ivay 
he should go, and when he is old he will not 
depart from it. They have dedicated their 
children to their Maker, and God has most 
graciously accepted the offering. 

Were a proper line of conduct pursued in the 
education of children, how few profligate sons 
and daughters, and how few broken-hearted 
parents should we find. The neglect of early 
religious education, connected with a wholesome 
and affectionate restraint, is the ruin of millions. 
Many parents, to excuse their indolence, and 
most criminal neglect, say, " We cannot give 
our children grace." What do they mean by 
this? That God, not themselves, is the author 
of the irregularities and viciousness of their 
children. They may shudder at this imputa- 
tion ; but when they reflect that they have not 
given them right precepts- — have not brought 
them under firm and affectionate restraint — 
have not showed them, by their own spirit, 
temper, and conduct, how they should be regu- 
lated in theirs — when either the worship of God 
has not been established in their houses, or they 



6 ADVERTISEMENT. 

have permitted their children, on the most trifling 
pretences, to absent themselves from it — when 
all these things are considered, they will find, 
that, speaking after the manner of men, it would 
have been a very extraordinary miracle indeed, 
if the children had been found preferring a path 
in which they did not see their parents con- 
scientiously tread. 

Let those parents who continue to excuse 
themselves by saying, We cannot give grace to 
our children, lay their hand on their conscience, 
and say, whether they ever knew an instance 
where God withheld Ms grace, while they were 
in humble subserviency to him, performing their 
duly ? The real state of the case is this : 
parents cannot do God's work ; and God will 
not do theirs : but if they use the means, and 
train up a child in the way he should go, God 
will never withhold his blessing. 

Next to the grace of God, Mrs. C. carefully 
owned, that all her first and permanent religious 
impressions were owing to the pious affectionate 
care of her parents, and to that judicious and 
affectionate course of discipline, under which 
she was early brought up. At first, she thought 
her parents too strict, while absolutely prohibit- 
ing the fashionable, though deeply vitiating 



ADVERTISEMENT* 7 

amusements of the world. These prohibitions 
led her to look at home for enjoyments ; she 
began to examine her own mind, to pant after 
useful knowledge, to seek God as her portion ; 
and in these she found a source of pleasure* 
producing millions of gratifications, of which the 
gay, the giddy, and the garish, never dream, and 
can never enjoy. She then most gratefully 
blessed God for her religious and well conducted 
education, which was the means of preparing 
her heart to receive the fulness of the blessing 
of the Gospel of peace, when she came to hear 
it preached in that way in which her soul 
delighted. Those who were best acquainted 
with her, knew that on this account, her grati- 
tude was not only great to God, T cut also to her 
parents ; to whom she ever felt a continually 
growing and affectionate attachment. 

Before this very important subject is dis- 
missed, the editor begs leave to present the 
candid reader with another remark: It is not 
parental fondness, nor parental authority, taken 
separately, that can produce this beneficial effect. 
A father may be as fond of his offspring as 
Eli, and his children be sons of Belial : he may 
be as authoritative as the Grand Turk, and his 
children despise, and plot rebellion against him- 



8 ADVERTISEMENT* 

But let parental authority be tempered with 
fatherly affection ; and let the rein of discipline 
be steadily held by this powerful but affectionate 
hand ; and there shall the pleasure of God 
prosper ; there will he give his blessing, even 
life for evermore. Many fine families have 
been spoiled, and many ruined, by the separate 
exercise of these two principles. Parental 
affection, when alone, infallibly degenerates 
into foolish fondness ; and parental authority 
frequently degenerates into brutal tyranny, 
when standing by itself The first sort of 
parents will be loved, without being respected : 
the second sort will be dreaded, without either 
respect or esteem. In the first case, obedience 
is not exacted, and is therefore felt to be unne- 
cessary ; as offences of great magnitude pass 
without punishment or reprehension : in the 
second caise, rigid exactness renders obedience 
almost impossible, and the smallest delinquency 
is often punished with the extreme of torture ; 
which hardening the mind, renders duty a matter 
of perfect indifference. 

In editing the papers of Mrs. C, very few 
liberties have been taken, except in the mere 
article of abridgment. JHere and there, a few 
errors have been corrected, and some expres- 



ADVERTISEMENT* 9 

sions altered. Much of her MS. has been left 
unpublished, either because it was of a private 
nature, concerning herself and family alone ; or 
because it was not judged to be such as would 
tend to general edification. The editor has 
never mingled his own observations with his 
text : what he found necessary to say, in order 
to introduce distinct parts, he has done by 
connecting sentences ; which, in every place, 
are easily distinguishable from the words of 
that excellent person who is now with God. 
May the spirit in which she lived and died rest 
abundantly on every reader ! A. Clarke. 

Jan. 1, 1814. 

The following character of Mrs. C, as a wife, 
was drawn up by him who was best qualified to 
do it. Writing to a friend, Mr. Cooper says, — 

44 Her Diary will best develope her character, 
respecting which I ought to state, that no one 
ever knew she kept one. I myself had not the 
least idea of it, until it was discovered after her 
decease ; although for the few happy months of 
our union, we were of one heart and soul, and 
were almost daily conversing together in the 
most unreserved manner of our experience in 
the things of God. 

" What she appears, in that precious record 



10 ADVERTISEMENT. 

she has left behind, that she was in real life — a 
Christian indeed. She was not content with 
the ordinary attainments of Christians ; she 
might be truly said to adorn the doctrine of God, 
her Saviour, in all things. The influence of the 
religion of Jesus was seen and felt by all around, 
in her holy walk and conversation, and by the 
manifestation of every Christian temper. 

" I believe I may say with perfect truth, that 
I never saw any thing in her, from the time of 
our marriage till the day of her death, that was 
inconsistent with that holiness after which she 
continually aspired, and which she enjoyed in an 
eminent degree. During that period she never 
once gave the least pain to my mind ; nor do I 
recollect having observed, in a single instance, 
any temperor disposition unbecoming aChristian. 

" During the principal part of her married 
life she suffered much bodily indisposition, on 
which account she was in a great measure 
prevented entering into those schemes of use- 
fulness for which she was particularly formed, 
and which her benevolent heart cordially ap- 
proved; but, in her family, it was her daily 
study to prove a blessing to all about her ; and 
she was much concerned that our servants might 
have reason to bless God for bringing them 
under our roof; and she had the happiness of 



ADVERTISEMENT. 11 

seeing that her prayers and endeavours for that 
purpose were not in vain. 

" My dear little girl found in her a mother ; 
indeed, had she been her own child, she could 
not possibly have given stronger proofs of ma- 
ternal tenderness, affection, and care. Previous 
to our marriage she carefully read Mrs. Hannah 
More's writings on education, as well as some 
other authors on the same subject, that she 
might be the better qualified to discharge what 
she considered a most important duty, viz. (to 
use her own words) <• To cultivate and rear this 
immortal plant for the paradise of God.'* 

" She was of opinion that religion ought to 
be interwoven with the instructions of children, 
as soon as their tender minds are capable of 
receiving it : accordingly, she began with our 
little Margaret as soon as we were married ; 
she was then two years old ; and so assiduous 
was she in her instructions, that in a short time 
her infant pupil could repeat the Lord's prayer, 
and three or four of Dr. Watts's hymns for 
children. 

" The same grace which prompted her to a 
life of active piety and usefulness when in good 
health, enabled her to bear suffering, when called 

* See Diary, 15th June, IS 11. 



12 ADVERTISEMENT* 

to it, with exemplary patience and resignation* 
I never once heard an expression of murmuring 
or impatience escape from her lips. In her I 
had a living example of the efficacy of Divine 
grace, and the blessedness of true religion. 
She possessed a remarkable simplicity of mind, 
which led her to embrace truth wheresoever she 
found it, though delivered in the plainest and 
most homely form. She was also a possessor 
of much genuine Christian humility; not in- 
deed of that which consists in mere expression, 
but of that which led her to prefer others before 
herself; and notwithstanding she possessed 
more than ordinary intellectual attainments, as 
well as more than common piety, she carefully 
avoided a display of either, and never suffered 
others with whom she might be in company to 
feel any inferiority. 

" In her Diary she says, ' Mental accom- 
plishments avail little indeed, unless they regu- 
late the heart, and cause the benefit to be more 
felt than seen; I must not display, but act; 
love, and be beloved.' On these maxims she 
uniformly acted. 

" It would be easy to say more ; but I am 
persuaded it is not necessary. 

"J. C." 



MEMOIRS OF MRS. COOPER, 



Of the early life of the late Mrs. Cooper a 
near relative gives the following account : — 

" Miss Mary Hanson, eldest daughter of 
John Hanson, Esq., was born in London, Sept. 
16, 1786. She was favoured with a religious 
education, and was not suffered to enter into 
those foolish amusements which are so injurious 
to multitudes of young persons. 

" At twelve years of age she left school, and 
completed her education under private tuition. 
This, with -the encouragement held out to her 
application and improvement by an intelligent 
and affectionate brother, proved the means of 
exciting, in her ardent mind, that thirst for 
knowledge which ever after proved a source of 
constant delight. Her early years were passed 
in comparative solitude, her parents rightly 
judging that the example of youth, in general, 
afforded but few instances worthy of imitation. 
But at the fcime, she thought this a very unne- 
cessary strictness, and envied those whose less 
cautious parents suffered them to form acquaint- 
ances without inquiry or concern. 

" At this period, and previously to her leaving 
school, she often felt deep convictions of her 
own sinfulness, and the absolute necessity of 



14 MEMOIRS OF 

personal religion. I have known her frequently 
at school assemble several of the girls together 
in a large closet, and there speak to them, and 
pray with so much earnestness, that they have 
been all melted to tears. These impressions, 
however, were but as the ' morning cloud, and 
early dew,' and were succeeded by a very dif- 
ferent disposition of mind. In the summer of 
1802, she for the first time left her parents' 
house, on a visit to Portsmouth and the isle of 
Wight ; where the natural gayety of her mind, 
which had been hitherto under restraint, meeting 
with objects congenial to its taste, appeared in 
all its ardour. Card parties and gay visits were 
now her delight; and I have often heard her 
say that she endeavoured to disbelieve the Bible 
and the existence of a God. The reflections 
of her retired moments were now so intolerable 
to her, that to drown them she read, with her 
accustomed avidity, volume after volume of 
novels and romances. Fascinated with the 
world and its manners, she returned home with 
a mind little disposed to enter into those serious 
and self-denying views of religion, which the 
Spirit of God had wrought in the minds of three 
in her own family during her absence : she, 
however, attended with them at the Lock chapel, 
where the judicious and intelligent preaching of 
the Rev. Sir. Fry, first arrested her attention, 
and then excited in her mind an earnest concern 
for the salvation of her soul. She soon became 
a member of the Lock, by receiving the sacra- 
ment administered according to the form of the 



MRS. COOPER* 15 

Church of England, which she always preferred: 
she also united herself with a society called a 
conversation meeting, under the superintendence 
of her minister, for the purpose of spiritual ad- 
vantage and instruction ; and exerted herself, 
to the utmost of her power, to instruct a large 
class of girls in the Sunday school of that soci- 
ety. But her removal to Hammersmith, in the 
spring of 1803, put a period to this work of love 
in which she so much delighted ; and it was 
not until the year 1806 that an opportunity again 
occurred, of resuming her successful endeavours 
to impart knowledge and light to the benighted 
minds of the ignorant poor : this she did, not 
only on the Sabbath, but constantly twice in the 
week ; for she devoted her evening hours to 
instruct them in writing, arithmetic, &c." 

In the year 1806, Miss Hanson began to 
note down her religious experience, rather by 
way of meditation and reflection than diary : 
for it does not appear that she began to keep a 
regular diary till 1809. From the age of 
s venteen she had renounced the world, being 
fully persuaded that none of its pleasures or 
pursuits could impart happiness to her immortal 
spirit. For a considerable time she was a plant 
that flourished in the shade, and her real worth 
was little known ; but had God in his provi- 
dence called her to a more public situation in 
life, such were her natural abilities, and so 



16 MEMOIRS OF 

highly had she cultivated them, that she would 
have ranked high among those excellent and 
intelligent women who are an honour to our 
country. An extract from the meditations, 
mentioned above, will more justly portray her 
character than any thing that could be said by 
any other person. The first entry of this kind 
is dated in her twentieth year. 

July 20, 1806. — Happiness is the universal 
object of pursuit ; but how various are the ways 
which men propose to themselves for its attain- 
ment ! When the desired object is possessed, 
alas ! it also has inscribed upon it " vanity and 
vexation of spirit." The hope still remains that 
the next attempt will prove more successful ; 
but alas ! it is not in the power of finite crea- 
tures to impart it. God, in his wisdom, has 
made us dependent on himself for happiness ; 
he has given us a free will, to choose this world 
for our portion; or himself, from whom flow 
pleasures for evermore. Sin has so bewilder- 
ed, so darkened the faculties of our souls, that 
every thing beyond what is finite is enveloped 
in a mist. Revelation, the best gift of God to 
man, unfolds the glories of an invisible world. 
The solitude I have so long enjoyed, and yet, 
alas ! so little improved, has often led me to 
retire into my own mind, and converse with my 
heart. I have discovered a jewel, little prized 
because little known. This treasure, bestowed 
on all God's creatures, when improved, may 



MRS. COOPER. 17 

become a source of consolation and felicity that 
will make them superior to the contempt of men 
and the agitations of disquietude* I feel con- 
vinced that to improve my intellectual powers 
is to have in store a constant spring of delights: 
it may prevent me from running into those 
snares which are held out as baits to the vacant, 
listless mind. But let me not forget that in- 
ward monitor, that soul bestowed upon me ; 
that it is immortal, and will return to God who 
gave it, and that it is made capable of happiness 
or misery beyond this visible state. The 
thread of life, so very slender, so soon broken, 
is in the hand of God. O ! thou Searcher of 
hearts, cold and senseless as 1 am to spiritual 
things, let not a consideration, at once so awful 
and impressive, pass over my mind without its 
clue weight. 

Aug. 10, 1806.— The cultivation of patience 
and meekness, both personally and relatively, 
is of the utmost soeial importance. If meekness 
in the sight of God is<of great price, how must 
the possession and exercise of that spirit pro- 
mote the peace of the possessor, and diffuse the 
charms of kindness around. In a moral point 
of view, the government of the passions, when* 
heathenish darkness prevailed, was esteemed 
the highest pitch of moral perfection ; and wor- 
thy the endeavour of every man. Socrates 
proved how the exercise of his reason could sub- 
due dispositions of the worst kind ; mental energy 
could repress passions, which, if unsubdued, 
would, like a torrent, bear down every thing 
2 



18 MEMOIRS OF 

before them. If a man, destitute of the meri« 
dian light of revelation, ignorant of the purity of 
the Deity, surrounded by superstition, and 
pagan brutality, could thus triumph over him- 
self, how should a Christian blush, who indul- 
ges every rising disposition, and suffers passions 
to be unchecked, which disturb the harmony of 
social intercourse, and exclude the sweet breath 
of peace ! 

i desire to live and act as in the sight of 
€Jod ; of him who gave an example of what his 
followers should be. Professors of religion, 
while they study to preserve outward decency 
and circumspection of deportment, too often 
stop there. This is a stumbling block to many. 
Is this all Christianity has effected ? Was it for 
this only the great sacrifice was made? Blush, 
Christian ! and be not called by that holy name 
while you indulge dispositions and propensities 
which are in direct opposition to the lovely spirit 
of the Gospel. It breathes love and benevo- 
lence. The old nature of passion, revenge, 
malice, and envy, is to pass away, and the new 
nature of meekness, gentleness, and easiness 
to be entreated, to take its place. — It requires 
both holiness of heart and life. Hence the 
serenity of 4he Christian is secured : and he is 
made capable of tasting that peace which pass- 
eth all understanding. 

Bee. 21, 1806. — The happy retirement with 
which Providence has so long blessed me, af- 
fords me many opportunities for reflection, and 
Ihe exercise of those powers with which ma« 



MRS, COOPER, 19 

was endowed, — the remains of his high original; 
for, in the image of God was man created. An 
immortal being should be a reflecting being, 
whose chief end is to glorify God. I should 
then deem it a privilege, that the means afford- 
ed to me are so favourable to my improvement 
in virtue and the knowledge of my Creator. 
My knowledge of the world has been sufficient 
to convince me, there is nothing in it capable of 
satisfying a soul formed for eternity. Hap- 
piness eludes our grasp like the moonlight 
shadow : if sought in the amusements ofiife, an 
hour's reflection discovers to us the dismal 
vacuum. Satiety often succeeds enjoyment. 
Amidst this general gloom, this chaos of disqui- 
etude, how delightfully does Christianity break 
in. It tells us not to love the world, nor the 
things of the world : our own experience proves 
the substance of all it contains; vanity, vexation 
of spirit. Are we left helpless in this state? 
O no ! consolation to the afflicted— repose to 
the weary— -safety in danger — comfort in death, 
are all offered freely ; and are all sealed to those 
who will accept of them by the blood of the Son 
of God. Christianity smooths the rugged path 
of life: it fills the soul with a divine compo- 
sure : creates at times a heavenly calm and 
foretaste of the blessedness in reversion. When 
alone, to reflect that God is with you, his Spirit 
engaged to assist and sanctify you, and Christ 
to justify and save you — O Divine consolation ! 
let me fear nothing so much as a departure from 
JErod, as a carelessness about my soul ; a 



20 MEMOIRS OF & 

thoughtlessness about eternity. In departing 
from thee I depart from happiness. To fear 
thee is rectitude, to know thee is wisdom, and 
to love thee felicity. 

Nov. 1, 1807. — When in secret retirement I 
reflect on the many illustrious saints who have 
sojourned here on earth, who have had to con- 
tend with inward and outward trials and vex- 
ations : when farther I view them in the 
chamber of death, hear the last groan that can 
ever escape them ; and trace their flight to 
those realms of blessedness, where no sigh can 
ever enter to interrupt the harmony of the skies, 
or the internal repose of its inhabitants — whence 
is this lukewarmness of soul, this indifference 
which so successfully takes possession of my 
spirit? Why am I not animated by the review 
of those who have fought and triumphed, and 
have attained those mansions of everlasting 
rest ? 

Now, that outward circumstances so much 
conspire to render a life of religion easy ; bless- 
ed with every external help ; how is it that the 
world claims so large a portion of that heart 
which I would fain give up entirely to my 
Maker? O my God! what reason have I to 
dread lest future days should find me enslaved 
in sin ; greedy of the pleasures this life affords. 
O let not that heart which has tasted the delights 
of communion with thee, those lips which have 
spoken thy praise, ever prove so treacherous to 
the beneficent Author of my being ! 

When I view time and eternity as to their 



BIRS. COOPER. 2T 

effect upon the soul, I am convinced how low 
sunk in sin must my spirit be, which thus prac- 
tically mismeasures them. In a little time ruin* 
will drive his ploughshare o'er this creation ; 
the thunder of heaven will burst with tenfold 
violence ; the lightnings will make the impend- 
ing gloom tremendously visible ; the elements 
shall become the instruments in the hand of the 
Deity, to proclaim to man that the hour of retri- 
bution is come ! By terrors shall they now 
learn, that time is to be now swallowed up in 
the ocean of eternity. 

Fast Day, Feb. 17, 1808.— As indisposition 
deprives me of the use of public ordinances, I 
will attempt to supply the want of them by a 
more particular examination of my own heart. 

On this day, wisely appropriated for a seasoa 
of national self-recollection and repentanee r I 
would not have myself added to the number of 
those, who defeat the purpose of the institution 
by a coldness and indifference, or total neglect 
of its due observance. 

As in the sight of God, I would search out 
those secret sins, which have so much separated 
me from those Divine consolations and gracious 
influences which I believe I once experienced ; 
and here I blush at the recollection, that to my 
closet I at once trace the cause of all those 
heart-wanderings, that spiritual indifference, 
which alas ! has too often grieved the Holy 
Spirit who has striven with me, 

" I hate the sins that made thee mourn. 
And drove thee from my breast*" 



22 MEMOIRS OF 

Prayer, by which only that mysterious com- 
munication between the Creator and his crea- 
tures can be maintained : prayer, which has 
sometimes introduced a very heaven into the 
soul ; the most exalted and blissful employment 
of finite creatures ; that which angels behold 
with delight, and devils tremble to view : alas ! 
alas ! how often has a stupid indifference been 
substituted for this. I have entered my closet, 
have shut the door, and strangely forgotten that 
the eyes of the Lord were upon a stupid sense- 
less creature. Little did the humble posture 
of my body accord with a rebellious stubborn 
heart, alive to every thing but its eternal inte- 
rests ! 

Prayer, formally, carelessly performed ; — O 
my God ! I confess with shame and confusion 
of face, that from this I trace pride, self-suffi- 
ciency, woridly-mindedness, and an indifference 
to those ordinances which once filled my soul 
with calm delight. 

Sometimesv indeed, when I have asked my 
own heart on entering upon my devotions, 
44 What is it you need] God knows and beholds 
you." Then have I been enabled to pour out 
my soul in confessing my sins, and have found 
lively impressions of the presence of God ; and 
have arisen determined to be more diligent in 
obtaining an acquaintance with my own heart. 
But a few days have shown me the treachery of 
my intentions, and the impossibility, without the 
assistance of God's Spirit, of maintaining any 
thing like the life and power of religion withm 



MRS. COOPER. 23 

me. The grace of God, like a spark in the 
ocean, can only be kept alive by a miracle. 

O thou gracious Being ! do thou pardon 
these my misdoings, do thou purify my sou! 
from its many corruptions, and let thy blessed 
Spirit strive once more within me. O renew 
my soul ! place eternity, with all its blissful 
enjoyments before me, that I may choose thee 
for my portion and happiness. 

The vain and unsatisfying enjoyments of 
this world, which have had so much influence 
on me, O let them fade from my remembrance ; 
let me view them in their true colours, and feel 
them in their deceitful tendency. Lord, thou 
didst create me for immortality. When the 
breath of life entered this corruptible body, I 
became a sojourner in a land which yields not 
fruits of such a hat v re as are sufficient to satisfy 
a soul journeying to another country ; may I 
live before thee for ever ! 

Sunday, Feb, 21, 180S. — Blessed is the man 
that trusteth in the Lord, that maketh the Lord 
his portion ; who, with eyes filled with tears of 
gratitude, can say, " The Lord is my shepherd." 
Blessings, beyond mortal calculation, are in- 
cluded in this personal appropriation. 

Thus to regard that God, of whose approach 
thunders and lightnings were the symbols, when 
about to dispense his laws to his creatures ; to 
call him by that endearing epithet — v*hat a 
mysterious privilege ! My soul, do thou dili- 
gently seek to be included in the number of 
^hat blessed flock. He \yfep said, ■« Let there be 



24 MEMOIRS Or 

fight,' 5 and there* was light ; who, by an act of 
liis will, created man : and, but for infinite love, 
might have destroyed him when he broke the 
only command imposed on him ; he who taketh 
up the isles as a very little thing, who cocnteth 
the nations as a drop of a bucket — even this 
God proposes himself for thy portion, O my 
soul ! 

Lost in the contemplation of thy attributes, 
teach me, O Lord, to "comprehend how it is, so 
intimate a relation as a father and child can 
subsist between thee, who art infinitely great, 
and a rebellious lost child of Adam ! It is 
enough ; that holy word, inscribed by the pen 
of mercy, exhibits it to my understanding* I 
would wonder and adore. 

Why did I not behold the light in regions 
where stocks and stones tire the objects of 
adoration? Why do I not owe my origin to 
parents who have substituted Mohammed for 
Christ? To distinguishing mercy alone, we 
owe the privilege of reading that blessed word, 
which a few centuries ago was denied to all but 
a domineering priesthood. O my God, how 
imperfect is the attempt to acknowledge the 
gratitude I would feel in having parents who 
fear thee ; who have taught me thy word, and 
brought me up with a reverence for thy ordi- 
nances : my heart, so prone to be rebellious, so 
alive to vanity, so negligent, of self inquiry,, 
what Would it have been, or rather, what would 
it not have bee*), had they introduced me to the 
follies, and thej dissipation to which thousands,. 



SlftS. COOPER* 25 

less distinguished than myself, have become a 
ready prey : a prey to that enemy who ever 
watches the unwatchful ; who lurks to destroy ; 
who strows the paths of youth with snares and 
baits, that he may carry them captive. 

If, after the enumeration of such privileges, I 
should be found a mere speculative believer, a 
practical Atheist, how great the condemnation. 
If religion be true, it ought to be the grand ob- 
ject of my life, the supreme concern of my heart. 
April 8, 1S08. — When the world, with its 
siren smiles, tempts us to drink deep of its en- 
joyments ; when it would allure us into the 
paths of security, and whisper peace to the soul^ 
youth, unsuspecting youth, fondly believes it 
true. In the spring of life, how many sweet- 
scented flowers meet us in our path ; while 
regaling our senses with their beauty, we forget 
that winter will seclude them from our view — - 
that darkness succeeds to light, and that calms 
precede storms. When disappointment lowers, 
and the cloud of affliction seems just ready to 
burst ; then it is the world is stript of its mask*, 
and its true character rushes on the view. Life 
is a chequered scene. As soon as our frail 
bark is committed to the mighty deep, the 
waves and billows of disquietude roll over our 
heads. If religion be the pilot, we are safe in 
the storm. I desire to lay the foundation of my 
happiness upon that rock, against which the 
afflictive uncertainties of this life must dash in 
vain : on this foundation the peace of my soul 
ishall rest secure. 



26 MEMOIRS OF 

The firm persuasion I have of a particular 
Providence, of the Divine superintendence in 
every affair of my life, will console me under 
every disappointment. When I view mankind, 
their disappointments, miseries, disease, and 
wretchedness, and see that each individual has 
a cup of sorrow to drink ; I feel surprised that 
this world should ever appear alluring to my 
eyes ; that it should ever lay siege to my heart 
with so much success ; that the things relative 
to another world should be so dimly viewed, so 
little prized. Religion, if it be sincere, must 
be the prevailing disposition of the mind ; it 
must supersede every thing else ; it must be 
a progressive work, and the soul must be pre- 
paring for a state of perfect holiness. 

For about four years after the family went to 
reside wholly at Hammersmith, Miss Hanson 
devoted a considerable part of her leisure time 
to the improvement of her mind; and in thi3 
she found a source of pleasure, which she 
valued far more than these empty pursuits, 
which engage the attention of too many of her 
own age ; and it appears from the foUowing 
memorandum that she pursued some method 
in her studies : — 

May 2, 1808. — The practice of early rising 
will, I hope, afford me ample opportunity of 
pursuing the following course and arrangement 
of reading : — 



3IRS. COOPER. 27 

Begin every morning with reading a chapter 
in the Old Testament, and one in the New. 

My devotional exercises to succeed. 

•Monday — History, with Maps. Gibbon's 
Rome to succeed Ferguson's Republic. 

Tuesday — Natural history in turn, comprising 
botany, chemistry, and astronomy. 

Wednesday — History. 

Thursday — The English poets, make ex- 
tracts from each ; and one chapter of Locke on 
the Understanding. 

Friday — Natural history. 

Saturday — History. 

Sunday — The Scriptures, and other devo- 
tional books. 

In October, 1808, the gentleman, whose 
ministry she then attended, died. This circum- 
stance seems to have affected her mind deeply ; 
and, in consequence, she was led to make the 
following serious reflections : — 

Oct. 6, 1808. — The remains of our beloved 
pastor, the Rev. W. Humphries, I have this day 
seen consigned to the silent tomb. His grave 
has been bedewed with the tears of his sorrow- 
ing flock ; who have committed to the cold 
ground a man who possessed every grace that 
could endear a minister to his people. Such a 
life, and such a death ! O may they be engraven 
on the tablet of my remembrance! Angels 
have conveyed him to the bosom of his Re- 
deemer ; and there he rests from pain, toil, an/J 



28 MEMOIRS or 

sorrow. Death has introduced him to that 
inheritance, that mansion of bliss prepared for 
him. While we, encompassed by dull mortal- 
ity, mourn on earth, he has reached his port, the 
haven of celestial, rest. The glories of the 
eternal world are gradually unfolding on his 
astonished sight ; and now, could he once more 
address us, how forcibly would he urge the 
importance of pressing forward in the heavenly 
road, and of laying hold on eternal life ! 

May I ever remember what a shining light 
he was, how che rays of his benignity were shed 
around on all who knew him. The image of 
the Redeemer was stamped on his life and con- 
versation. Like him may I be devoted to God, 
and find in devotion a resource and refresh- 
ment to which my weary soul may betake itself, 
and find the dawnings of heaven. The soul, 
that immortal principle, which will survive the 
conflagration of the universe, was formed to 
live for ever : and that dissatisfaction, attendant 
on the possession of every earthly good, that 
vacuum which nothing sublunary can fill : that 
proneness to look forward in search of some- 
thing yet unpossessed : how does all this prove 
its immortal destination ? A heavenly spark 
which first emanated from the Deity. O may 
I more diligently converse with my own heart : 
and feel more practically the immense import-* 
ance of living to the God who made me. 

Sun., Oct, 16, 1808.— The services of this 
day have been so peculiarly solemn and affect- 
ing? that I desire to make a/ memorial of tho 



MRS. COOPER. 29 

impressions made on my mind. At once sen- 
sible of the immense importance of Christianity, 
and the levity and thoughtlessness of my heart, I 
wish to improve by reflection those seasons 
when my mind has been impressed, and my 
affections raised to those spiritual objects, which 
I earnestly trust will be the portion of my soul 
for ever. Our dear minister has left us : at the 
summons of his God, his soul took its flighttothe 
regions of eternal bliss ; but his example, his 
life, and holy conversation, which the voice of 
friendship has so faithfully detailed, still lives in 
my remembrance : lovely in life, O how lovely 
in death ! When I gazed on his remains, which 
still bore the impress of that serenity with which 
he nit* the summons of death : how ardently did 
I pant for a share in that salvation which, in such 
a season, could encircle the brow with compo- 
sure, the spirit with delight. Let me view his 
life : the young were the peculiar objects of his 
solicitude: for them he laboured, and by ten 
thousand nameless instances won upon their af- 
fections, and made them admire the piety soin<- 
fluential in himself. He sought the Lord early, 
and his progress was never impeded by the in- 
dulgence of worldly habits. He continued stead- 
fast in his course, and by his life and conversa-' 
tion evinced how practical Christianity shines ; 
how superior to a mere speculative reception of 
its truths — to a flaming zeal about certain doo 
trines, which, while they engage the head, freeze 
the heart, and limit that spirit of benevolence 
which diffuses the charms of kindness to all 



SO MEMOIRS Or 

around. His sun has set at noon. He was ripe 
for the heavenly inheritance : his gentle spirit » 
disencumbered of mortality, is now in posses- 
sion of that happiness purchased by the Son of 
God, " who wept that man might smile, who 
bled that man might never die." 

Why is it that my soul is so content with 
earthly fare ? why does it lay schemes of bliss be- 
low the skies? why are my affections so engross- 
ed by material things, while that spark of fire 
Divine, which ought to flame with love to God, is 
unimproved 1 alas, how oft is this unnoticed. 

JVbv. 15, 1808. — To a soeial mind, pleasures 
derive an increase of enjoyment from commu- 
nication ; and sorrows which oppress the heart, 
how greatly are they alleviated by the k Adness 
of a sympathizing friend ; by Ihe balm of affec- 
tion poured into the wounded heart. But there 
is a melancholy which tinges every rising plea- 
sure with discontent, which repels consolation ; 
its existence in the mind is nurtured with 
mournful delight, and unsatisfied with this 
world, it disdains its offered comforts. 

Thus I feel and acknowledge the mercy, 
mingled with judgment, that appoints to each 
probationer for heaven a cup of sorrow ; were 
it not for this, the soul would grovel here below, 
. it would become captivated with earthly posses- 
sions, nor glance a thought on the appoint- 
ed end for which it exists. The gold would 
never be separated from the dross ; were it, 
instead of passing through the furnace, to be 
•exposed only to the sunshine, there it might lie 



MRS. COQ?£R* 31 

for ever unaltered. Prosperity is a severe trial 
to the Christian; when the path is strowed 
with roses, and nature, attired in loveliness, in- 
vites us to gaze and be satisfied with a para- 
dise here below, how readily does the heart 
obey its dictates ; how disposed to lose itself in 
the possession of present happiness ; and to 
forget that winter, with an unsparing hand, will 
dismantle nature of its beauties ; that the clouds 
will gather blackness, and the big tempest burst 
upon our heads. It is then in despondency 
we look around, and ask for the " sea that 
knows no storms ;" for the port in which the 
mariners will fTnd an exemption from the waves 
and billows of disquietude. O my God, let me 
seek thee in health, and thou wilt be near me 
in sickness ; be thou the supreme object of my 
regard in prosperity, and then I shall not have 
to look around in vain for comfort, when chill 
adversity lifts its correcting hand ; in seasons 
like the present, when my spirit, pervaded with 
gloom, finds no comfort but in aspirations after 
thee. O from heaven, thy dwelling place, 
lend a listening ear, make me to pant after 
thee ! May I never feel a stupid indifference 
and lukewarmness in the pursuit of an eternal 
exemption from pain and sorrow. 

Eternity ! thou pleasing, dreadful thought- 
Time, what is it ? a moment, a vapour, a sha- 
dow ; all, all comparison fails. Eternity is a 
boundless ocean, in which the emancipated 
spirit shall enjoy the smile, or sustain the 
frowns and vengeance, of the Deity for ever* 



32 MEMOIRS OF 

The six following months she appears to 
have devoted, in a peculiar manner, to the cul- 
tivation of her mind, in various branches of 
useful knowledge ; the study of history still 
being paramount to all others : and yet not 
pursued so as to exclude more serious subjects ; 
for with this she frequently connected a deep 
consideration of her eternal interests ; as the 
following extracts from her journal sufficiently 
prove : — 

Nov. IS, 180S. — I find considerable pleasure 
in Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman 
Empire; it is a great monument of human 
genius and human fallibility. His invidious 
allusions to Christianity, I was prepared to 
meet ; when entering on it, I begged of God to 
guard my mind from error, and not to suffer 
me to imbibe its skeptical spirit. My mind is 
perhaps in a degree fortified, by a previous 
examination of the evidences on which our 
religion rests. Where I have thought Gibbon's 
representations of ecclesiastical facts have been 
obscured by the darkness of his mind and inten- 
tions, I have referred to the same period in 
Milner's Church History, and am not left to 
draw my conclusions of Christianity from his 
representation of its progress and adherents ; 
if I were, my inferences would be \ery unfa- 
vourable. 

In the pure and invigorating atmosjJhere of 
the Roman republic, in which one delights to 



MRS. COOPER. 33 

trace the progress of civilization, freedom, con- 
quest, and philosophy; the human intellect 
was cultivated to a high pitch of perfection ; 
but this state was succeeded by a gradual pros- 
tration of the minds of men. In reflecting on 
the cause of this, I was reminded of the case of 
a man, who, beginning with but little property, 
gradually amassed a large fortune, for the at- 
tainment of which great assiduity and exertion 
were necessary ; he omitted nothing likely to 
improve and accelerate the objects of his pur- 
suit ; riches are increased, large estates pur- 
chased, he sits down at his ease, and thinks of 
nothing but enjoyment ; luxuries steal uponhim, 
and he becomes more and more enervated ; you 
look in vain for the industrious, persevering, 
self-denying man ; no trace is left ; and his 
successors become enchained to their estates : 
their faculties, not being exercised, grow torpid ; 
their talents are swallowed up in sensuality ; 
they are slaves to their passions, and they be- - 
come slaves in their country. 

Dec. 25, 1808. — The cultivation of my un- 
derstanding has long been my aim and desire, 
and the time usually devoted by those of my 
own age and sex to pleasure and frivolity, has 
been spent in more rational pursuits. The re- 
straints of education were, in the first instance, 
imposed upon me : this yoke I impatiently bore ; 
but when, by the mercy of God, I was made 
sensible of the vanity of worldly pursuits, and 
their dangerous tendency ; and, above all, was 
convinced that I had an immortal soul within 



&4 MEMOIRS OP 

me, that an omnipresent Deity was the witness 

of my actions, the searcher of my heart and in- 
tentions ; I was, I trust, made desirous of 
choosing God for my portion. Man must have 
recreations, resources, pleasures ; the improve- 
ment of the mind, of the reasoning faculties, 
appears the noblest and most rational of indul- 
gences. Knowledge has been so captivating 
to my imagination, that I have with eagerness 
snatched every spare moment for its attain- 
ment. While endeavouring to scan the great 
arcana of nature ; to trace the finger of the 
Deity in every production ; to mark his obvi- 
ous designs in every creature of his hand ; with 
what a double relish have I viewed the works 
of the great Creator ; how has my heart glowed 
with joy in exploring these fields of novelty and 
information; nothing so much tends to exalt 
our ideas of God ; nothing is so calculated to 
produce humility : nature is open for our peru- 
sal, and, by its beauties, alluring to the observer. 
How powerfully does the immensity of the 
great Creator strike the soul, when contempla- 
ting the starry hosts, when wrapt in astonish- 
ment, the spirit rises to the stars, and views 
them as the creation of its Father's hand. O I 
endearing title ; though he dwells in the highest 
heavens, he has also his residence in the hum- 
ble and contrite heart; which is as much the 
object of his care as if it alone existed. 

When dissolving nature shall proclaim that 
the hour of retribution is at hand ; when the 
rocks and mountains shall prove a vain defence 






MRS. COOPER. 35 

against the piercing eye of the avenging Deity ; 
O that I may haii the moment as the time of 
my complete happiness, when soul and body, 
once more united, shall rise to eternal happi- 
ness. Why do I ever linger in pursuit of such 
a prize ] It is my desire to have a greater ac- 
quaintance with God and his works, and more 
humbling views of myself. I wish to strive 
against every appearance of vanity, conceit, 
and self-sufficiencij. Knowledge, without wis- 
dom, puffeth up : I would, in this respect, 
watch my heart. 

History I much delight in ; and the perusal 
of Rollin, Ferguson, and Gibbon, has not only 
entertained, but much instructed me. To be 
made acquainted with the transactions of ages 
long since passed away ; of empires which 
once existed in all earthly splendour, now 
known only in the scanty page of history ; to 
trace the actions of great and virtuous men, 
though involved in pagan darkness ; their love 
of virtue, so far as they knew it ; their patriot- 
ism, which led them to sacrifice all for their 
country ; how entertaining and instructive ! 
The History of Greece, in a lively, forcible 
manner, portrays the effects of freedom and 
philosophy. Pericles, Aristides, Socrates, Epa- 
minondas, all successively rivet the attention 
and excite admiration. 

The career of these great men was generally 
closed by the effects of the blackest ingratitude 
from their countrymen ; their sun, which rose in 
splendour, and ascended to its meridian with* 



36 MEMOIRS OF 

out a cloud to sliade its glories, set in blackness 
and darkness ; their services forgotten in the 
torrent of envy and malignity which obscured 
their last days. Painful are the instances of 
the vicissitudes of fortune ; dreadful the effects 
of the unrestrained passions of men : but how 
obvious, to a reflecting mind, is the superin- 
tendence of Providence over the creation. 
Great men, raised up for peculiar ends ; kings, 
who had grossly abused their diadem, and made 
their supreme power the instrument of intoler- 
ance and oppression to their subjects, are made 
to lick the dust ; and, hurled from their splen- 
dour, feel the bitter pangs of remorse. Nations 
who have filled up the measure of their iniqui- 
ties, become successively the prey of barba- 
rians : all work together for some great political 
universal good; all proclaim His care, who at 
once views causes and effects, and sees from 
beginning to end. 

Christianity certainly lost much of Its pri- 
mitive simplicity when Constantine made it 
an appendage to the state. His patronage 
introduced numbers into the Church who 
made religion a worldly gain. Pampered in 
courts, its adherents lost sight of our Saviour's 
declaration, " My kingdom is not of this world." 
The Church became rapidly corrupt. The fifth 
and sixth centuries present a most awful picture 
of the abuse and degeneracy of Christianity ; a 
slight difference of opinion was sufficient to 
arm the opponents with swords, and every 
weapon that could in any wise injure their 






MRS. COOPER. 37 

adversary. The worship of images, the su- 
premacy of the bishop of Rome, seemed to 
proclaim the reign of antichrist : and Moham- 
med the impostor was certainly destined to 
scourge those Christian nations who had pro- 
voked God by their idolatrous antichristian acts. 
I could not read the dissemination of his 
principles, and the rapidity of his conquests, 
without viewing the just judgments of God on 
those nations, who seemed sensual enough to 
admit just such opinions, and such a religion, 
as Mohammed was about to enforce upon them, 
by the power of the sword. O God, thy judg- 
ments are just and righteous altogether I 

Jan. 1, 1809. — 

1 We take no note of time but from its loss.' 

I have just closed another year of my mortal 
account; it is an epoch which demands reflec- 
tion, as, ere the close of the present one, the 
angel of death may swear that time with me 
shall be no longer. As the veil which now 
separates me from eternity may be drawn aside, 
and the realities of a future state burst on my 
astonished soul ; it becomes me, therefore, as 
a being on whom God has bestowed an immor- 
tal spirit, to make ready, and to live in daily 
expectation of an event, which, from its uncer- 
tainty, is of the utmost importance ; and, from 
its consequences, of tremendous moment. — ■ 
Strange the infatuation that there can be triflers 
on the brink of such a precipice ! The beasts 
of the field, the birds of the air, all fulfil the 



88 MEMOIRS OF 

appointed end of their existence ; shall I, en- 
dued with a rational soul, an immortal principle, 
live to myself, confine my hopes, views, and 
expectations, to this transitory state, this com- 
mencement of being, where thorns and briers 
annoy my path ; and where I may to-morrow 
be bereft of every comfort] Forbid it, O God ! 
make me more diligent, more earnest in my 
desires after thee ; more watchful over my own 
heart ; and more willing to prepare myself, by 
a holy life, for the enjoyment of thy presence 
for ever. Let not my earnestness in the pur- 
suit of knowledge be a snare to me, either by 
occupying too much of my thoughts, to the 
exclusion of devotion, or by making me proud 
and ostentatious : rather let it be an increasing 
cause of humility, never to estimate nor regard 
people according to their acquirements, but 
according to their character and good sense : 
for, had they possessed opportunities and ad- 
vantages equally favourable to the improvement 
of their minds, they might have exercised their 
talents to better purpose. By the cultivation 
of my mind, the exercise of my reason, I hope, 
in future life, to fill up my station more ration- 
ally, and with a greater share of propriety than 
those who either have not had, or have volun- 
tarily neglected the same means of improvement. 
To be reasonable in my judgment, liberal in my 
opinion, benevolent in my intentions, will, I 
hope, be the lasting practical effects of my 
present desires of information : ever to remark 
the great chain of Providence, every link of 



MRS. COOPER. 39 

which is necessary to the completion of his 
designs. The inequalities of good and evil in 
this life ; the sufferings of virtue, the triumphs 
of vice : all this will be cleared up at the day of 
retribution. It is God who commands the 
raging of the seas, who, for wise designs, per- 
mits the existence of evil. 

Jan. 22, 1809. — I feel the importance of a 
consistent and uniform devotedness to religion ; 
and desire diligently to cultivate my heart, to 
watch over the risings of irregular tempers, and 
to repress every irritable thought. How de- 
lightful to be the means of infusing serenity and 
benevolence ; to cheer the path of life by an 
habitual disposition to extract sweet from bitter, 
—the thorn from the rose ! 

Religion ! what does it effect, unless the 
heart be transformed : meekness should take 
place of anger; kindness of revenge; love of 
hatred. To be decided in this momentous 
contest, to wage a constant warfare with the 
natural corruptions of the heart ; this habitual 
decision alone can give that peace which the 
Gospel proclaims to be the portion of the 
upright. The heart must be devoted to God ; 
the breathings of the soul must be after him ; 
conformity to him must be the predominant 
principle of the soul. The wheels of time are 
rapidly rolling on ; the contest, though it be 
severe, is short : and what is life 1 O ! it is all 
important ; here we perform our little part ; but 
ah ! an eternity depends on the right im- 
provement of time. By the word of God I 



40 MEMOIRS OF 

shall be judged ; how deeply conversant ought 
I then to be with its sacred contents, not to 
peruse it with the same carelessness as another 
book, but diligently to study it, and to meditate 
upon it. I ought to keep stated seasons for 
prayer and meditation. I should not be discou- 
raged by want of fervour ; for though the duty 
be at first discouraging, yet, by persevering in 
the use of the means, a blessing must ensue. 
O God ! enable me thus to act. 

Jan. 30, 1809. — In such a night as this, 
when every rising blast chills the soul, and 
threatens destruction to all around, I am ready 
to say, the Lord is abroad : who can now say, I 
rest securely ? who is safe but he who can wrap 
himself in the arms of Omnipotence? and who 
defies storms and tempests to separate him from 
his love, who carries the lambs in his bosom ? 
The righteous only shall abide under the shadow 
of the Almighty. Tempests remind us of thy 
existence, O God, of thy superintendence, and 
of our feebleness and dependence upon thee : 
the shakings of the nations, the concussions of 
the elements, all proclaim thy judgments.— O 
that they may not speak in vain ! To lay up 
a treasure in heaven, that is wisdom; and 
though this life be troublous, and its path 
thorny, 

_j —- — "Why grievous these appear, 
If all it pays for heaven's eternal year; 
If these sad sobs, and piteous sighs secure 
Delights that live, when worlds no more endure." 

This is only a state of probation : born that we 



MRS. COOPER, 41 

may live for ever : why then should the delights 
of earth allure us to that precipice of pleasure, 
whence the soul dares not look beyond present 
enjoyments : it is a precipice, and a dangerous 
one. Death may receive its commission to 
summon us before His tribunal who demands the 
whole heart, who hates divided affections ; if, 
instead of acting as immortal beings, we live in 
a state of sensation little superior to the brutes, 
whose appetites alone guide them ; how awful 
must the state be when the union is dissolved 
between the body and the living principle within ! 
When its faculties are no longer corporeally 
clouded, no more shackled by sense ; how ex- 
quisite must be its feelings, how changed its 
capacities. May a constant preparation for 
the eternal world be a paramount consideration 
with me. May I have habitual desires of 
acquaintance with God, and cultivate a spirit of 
dependence upon him. O that the Spirit of 
God may enlighten my eyes, and illuminate my 
dark, benighted soul. 

Feb. 19, 1809. — The grand resurrection of 
nature is now approaching, and the mind, at- 
tuned to contemplation, dilates with joy in 
listening to the first warblings of the grateful 
songsters ; their cheerful notes seem their 
tribute of praise to Him who has fed them in the 
past season. The embryo blossoms, kind na- 
ture has preserved with much care, now burst 
forth. There lives and works a soul in all 
things ; and that soul is God. How rich is 
nature in amusements ! its varieties, what a field 



4^ MEMOIRS OF 

for curiosity, wonder, and interest ! The mind, 
abstracted by these delightful speculations, is 
independent ; sources ever within reach, while 
they fill the mind with rapture, and point to the 
great First Cause; they instruct the heart; and, 
while the heavenly hosts fill the skies nightly 
with silent pomp, make us exclaim, Lord, what is 
man ! And when an apprehension arises, that 
amidst the infinity of his works so insignificant a 
being might be overlooked, the unbelieving sug- 
gestion is quelled by the volume of nature ; it is 
he that causes the grass to spring forth ; it is he 
that gives the fowls of the air their food: hecareth 
even for them! how much more then for man, 
whose being he sustains ; and who was created 
in his image. The Christian desires to conse- 
crate all his pursuits to the service of God ; and 
whether his providential dominion be traced in 
history or in philosophy, all may be made sub- 
servient to the great end of our existence. To 
improve and cultivate the rational powers is 
worthy of an intelligent being, on whom God 
has bestowed an active living principle, inde- 
pendent of that body which is, for a season only 
its companion : this will mingle with the dust ; 
but the soul, capable of pleasure and pain, will 
survive the world, and know no end. 

Childhood is a state of probation for manhood, 
and this life for another. Yirtue and vice, in a 
degree, receive their reward in this life; not 
completely so ; it is the prerogative of Omnis- 
cience alone to assign hereafter rewards and 
punishments. I must then conclude that the 



MRS. COOPER. 43 

chief business of my life should be to secure the 
favour of my Creator: I am not left to wander 
in the mazes of philosophy, the erring dictates of 
fallen reason ; their light was indeed darkness, 
darkness visible. Revelation, that meridian sun, 
has opened a way of access to the offended 
Deity : justice and mercy are reconciled, and 
man may be a partaker of the blessings of sal- 
vation. 

April 30, 1809. — How delightful is the con- 
templation of the works of God Ujmy enraptured 
eye runs over the productions of the earth with 
a curiosity and interest that never leave me : 
the passing clouds, the opening flowers, the 
sweet river, whose constant changes give a 
variety to the scenes, how successively do these 
steal on my imagination, and ofttimes how in- 
expressible is my gratitude for receiving from 
the hands of God so many outward blessings ; 
and a mind capable of drawing the truest 
delight from them. But, O, yon beauteous 
cloud has vanished, and the flowers which I 
delight to view will fade and die ; nature, and 
all her loveliness, is but transitory in her dura- 
tion. Time with me has a destined period ; 
but time is a loan, of the misimprovement of 
which my God will require a strict account. 
Does not reason imperiously demand that the 
Author of my being should receive the homage 
of my heart ? thus far it goes, but no farther. 
Revelatiop takes me up where reason leaves 
me ; *t has drawn aside the veil, and made 
manifest a mode of .access whereby the Deity 



44 MEMOIRS OF 

receives into the arms of his love the creature 
who had revolted from his government ; but 
who returns with penitential tears, and asks for 
mercy through the atoning sacrifice. 

O my soul ! do thou press forward with more 
alacrity in the heavenly road ; much is to be 
done ; a corrupt heart must be renewed ; the 
motives of thy conduct must be traced to the 
love of God ; every attainment in knowledge 
must be consecrated to God, must be subservient 
to the end of, thy being ; and humility must 
mark every part of this deportment. How 
much is to be done ! but what is the alternative? 
■ — Endless blessedness, or endless misery. 

By prayer and dependence on God, I hope 
to overcome that slothfulness of spirit which has 
so much prevailed over me. I trace much to 
the loss of time in bed ; it has occasioned me 
to hurry over my devotions, and produced a 
lassitude of mind which has operated sensibly 
on all my undertakings. I do propose now to 
rise at or before six, and offer my feeble orisons 
to God in a more becoming, heartfelt manner. 
My other studies to be orderly pursued. His- 
tory, natural and moral philosophy, particularly 
Locke's Conduct of the Understanding. My 
heart ought to overflow with gratitude to that 
Being who has so profusely bestowed his mer- 
cies upon me. Had I lived in a town or city, 
how would the morning of my days have con- 
fined my understanding, cramped my views and 
my delights in the works of nature. ReiWement^ 
i thank thee ; from thy calm influence J havs 



MRS. COOPER. 45 

been taught to seek, in an improvement of my 
understanding, pleasures which live within my 
constant reach : the superiority of these, to the 
trifling, unsatisfactory vanities of the world, has 
made me hug them to my heart, and court their 
continued influence. 

The following letter, containing the plan of a 
correspondence between her and her eldest 
brother is a proof of her early attention to the 
cultivation both of her mind and heart: and how 
much sound judgment and conscience were 
consulted, even in what was at that time con- 
sidered as little else than recreation. 

Lower'Mall, Nov. 5, 1S06. 

My Dear Bbother, — A letter of very an- 
cient date, (July iO,) now before me, silently 
reproves my negligence: the time which has 
elapsed might warrant your concluding I was 
wholly indifferent about engaging you as a cor- 
respondent, something or other has hitherto 
satisfied my conscience ; farther pleas now fail, 
and I feel happy in the idea of addressing my 
dear Joseph at his own home ; a period which 
has no doubt been anticipated in your youthful 
days, as an era of liberty not then enjoyed: now 
you are become your own master, your expecta- 
tions of farther comfort rest in futurity; the 
next step will be that of becoming a family man; 
and so on. 

I trust our hopes will extend beyond this life, 
and then we shall find a solace in the frustration 



46 MEMOIRS OF 

of those wishes, the accomplishment of which 
is always uncertain. 

Now, that the winter is shutting in upon us, 
I am willing to hope you will derive the comfort 
I promise myself in the mutual communication 
of our thoughts : be our personal interviews 
ever so frequent, our correspondence may go 
on the same : and we may freely express on 
paper those sentiments that perhaps would have 
remained concealed from each other, but for 
this pleasing medium of conversing. You know, 
my dear Joseph, I am particularly fond of shut- 
ting myself in my closet on a winter's evening ; 
and there spending some of the happiest mo- 
ments of my existence with my pen or my 
book ;— this comfort winter affords me : and I 
shall find it a great delight in these silent hours 
intimately to receive your thoughts on profitable 
subjects, and to express mine in return. I have 
now to subscribe to the agreement you drew 
up, and shall transcribe it for your use. 

" We do hereby agree to correspond with each 
other in mutual confidence, with mutual desires 
for each other's benefit and recreation ; promis- 
ing mutually to reprove and admonish each other 
with Christian faithfulness, in the spirit of meek- 
ness : — farther, we agree to avoid all direct or 
indirect allusions to each other's attainments in 
our Christian calling, unless it be done with a 
view to exalt in each other a deeper sense of 
our obligations, and to point out the necessity 
of showing it forth by a more devoted life to 
the service of God ; reminding one another 



MRS. COOPER. 47 

always that where much is given, much is 
required." 

I could not have penned an agreement more 
to my own satisfaction : but this I have to re- 
mark ; I may not at all times feel sincerely dis- 
posed to write on religious subjects — to con- 
fine letters to this may prove a temptation to 
express what you do not feel, — this would be 
hypocrisy. I may, as I am disposed, write my 
own reflections on various moral points, or re- 
mark something in the course of my reading • 
at the same time, I agree to every part of the 
above, and would by no means exclude that 
subject which most concerns us. Tell me, 
with the candour which will always pervade our 
letters, what you think of this, and whether you 
fully coincide with met I make a point after 
I have been reading, to run over the subject in 
my own mind, and endeavour to reflect upon 
such parts as appear particularly worthy of con- 
sideration, comparing the sentiments of the 
author with my own — by this method I hope to 
derive more good from reading a little, and di- 
gesting that little, than I should do from reading 
thrice the quantity, without thinking of it after- 
ward. I know you adopt this plan : your re- 
flections would therefore greatly please me, and 
perhaps be impressed more on your own mind 
by the communication. I believe, my dear 
Joseph, we are as closely united in affection as 
by relative ties ; therefore, as you observe, let 
us be faithful to reprove each other, and con- 
stant in writing. If we can by this means pro* 



48 MEMOIRS OF 

mote each other-s spiritual advancement, we 
shall have reason to consider the talent improv- 
ed. Let us have an intimate knowledge of 
each other, and do every thing to strengthen 
an affection that ought to subsist in full vigour 
between two so nearly allied. 

Believe me, my dear brother, yours, truly, 

M. Hanson. 

The following letter, which is a part of the 
correspondence with her brother, already men- 
tioned, contains many good sentiments ; and 
some which are not of ordinary occurrence : 
it marks at the same time, the progress of re- 
ligious conviction in her mind, and how seri- 
ously she was then in the pursuit of that, in 
which she afterward found solid happiness. 

Lower Mall, Jan. 20, 1807. 

My Dear Joseph,- — I am convinced my let- 
ters have been generally very deficient in notic- 
ing the remarks of my correspondent ; the mode 
you suggest will prove much more colloquial as 
well as productive of materials : it had never oc- 
curred to me how much my letters had failed in 
this respect. Be as candid in noticing everv 
thing else that requires an alteration, whether it 
respects discourse or conduct, though I much 
fear that, as our opportunities of seeing each 
other are so rare, the intercourse necessary for 
reproof will but seldom occur ; this I regret, for 
my proud spirit would bear reproof administered 



MRS. COOPER. 49 

with your wonted faithfulness and love. ! it 
would bear it much better from you than from 
any one ; self-will and self-love so often obscure 
our better judgment, and thereby lead us into 
the mazes of error, that could the observing eye 
of a Christian friend be near, and just then re- 
mind us of the demands of Christianity upon 
our hearts, and the humility it inculcates and 
enforces ; would not this check the progress of 
those moral vices upon our hearts? I some- 
times think it would. But, my dear Joseph, if 
the friend were not near, there is a consideration 
of far greater importance : the eye of infinite 
purity ever beholds us ! were this consideration 
oftener present to our minds, what a check would 
it be to the arrogance and pride of the heart. 
For my own part I feel the difficulty so im- 
mensely great, to maintain in my mind that 
sense of religion in any degree which the Chris- 
tian must feel so as to influence his thoughts, 
words, and actions, that that character seems a 
wonder in creation. To persevere to the end, 
considering the temptations from within and 
without, is a marvellous proof of the efficacy of 
Divine grace. No wonder so many turn back ; 
and yet when we reflect on the immense import- 
ance of preparing for a never-ending state of 
I being, how great the delusion seems, to think of 
any thing occupying and absorbing the thoughts 
of creatures on the very verge of perdition. It is 
consolatory to the mind, my dear brother, amidst 
these reflections, that our attainment of eternal 
life does not depend on ourselves alone : that 
4 



50 MEMOIRS OF 

grace, that has been implanted in the hearts of 
thousands now in glory, and had brought forth 
fruits to the praise of God, may yet be had of 
him, " whom to know is wisdom, 1 whom to fear 
is rectitude, whom to love is happiness." 

It is the hope of victory that animates soldiers 
in battle ; they bear temporary privations and 
numerous hardships, in prospect of the glory 
accruing from conquest ; and yet how short- 
lived is that compared with the crown of glory 
for which I trust you and I, my dear brother, 
will fight manfully ; it is for an incorruptible 
crown, one which we shall wear for ever. 



I love retirement, and would scrupulously 
avoid acquaintance with the world ; for to keep 
in tolerable humour with it, it is necessary to 
know but little of it, and to think of the most 
virtuous of your acquaintance ; for when one 
surveys the characters of people in general, 
and observes the dissimulation pervading most 
of thorn, it is difficult to preserve that spirit of 
benevolence that ought never to be damped. 
You tell me you have purchased freedom from 
control and restraint at the price of additional 
cares and anxieties. In reviewing the past, its 
evils usually diminish in our apprehensions, 
while we feel the present in their full force* 
You will find the habitual effects of your em- 
ploying leisure time in the pursuit and know- 
ledge of Christian virtues. How desirable to 
feel the inclination ! press forward, my dear 



MRS. COOPER. 51 

brother, and shine like a candle in a dark place ; 
you are in a new state of trial, sufficient grace 
for every day is promised you ; only sincerely 
ask, and you will surely receive. 

There is something truly delightful in that 
freedom true love ever inspires, in the commu- 
nication of one's inmost thoughts : we were 
formed social beings, and I think the commun- 
ion of saints, as expressed in the creed, must 
be a mean of accelerating and enlivening the 
affections, and inspiring love and zeal to the 
Supreme Being. I can freely think aloud to 
you, my dear Joseph, for I greatly hope our 
correspondence will prove a mean of my ad- 
vancing in that life divine after which I some- 
times pant. / 

I hope it will be convenient to you to write 
soon ; never apologize for any but short letters ; 
none but such fatigue me. 

Believe me your most affectionate sister, 
Mary Hanson. 

Early in the year 1S09 Miss Hanson began 
to attend the preaching among the Methodists. 
The first preachers she heard were Dr. Coke 
and Dr. Clarke. From this period religion 
became the one great business of her life, and 
she, in a more especial manner, was engaged 
in doing good to her fellow creatures ; in visit- 
ing and relieving the poor and distressed, whom 
she endeavoured to instruct by reading the 
.Scriptures to them, praying with and speaking 



62 MEMOIRS OF 

to them of spiritual things, and of the eternal 
world. But her own diary is her most faithful 
biographer ; and by it the reader will perceive 
that she now began to take a very different 
view of religion to what she had ever done be- 
fore. She considered it no longer as a system 
of opinions and moral practice merely, but as a 
work in the heart, or in other words, the life of 
God in the soul of man; -which, when once 
introduced, would necessarily manifest itself in 
a full conformity to his will and word, in all 
her passions, tempers, affections, and conduct. 
On this important subject she thus speaks : — 

July 2, 1S09. — For the last two months my 
attention and reading has been much confined 
to theology : two sermons, one by Dr. Adam 
Clarke, and the other by Dr. Coke, preached 
at the Methodist chapel here, roused my in- 
quiry as to the peculiar sentiments of that 
people. 

Those sermons have made a deep impression 
on my mind ; the first showed me, in a manner 
I was not aware of, the connection of reason and 
religion, how far they were in union with each 
other, where the one left us, the other took us up, 
and introduced us to the immortality of glory ; 
the other sermon gave a view of religion in the 
soul, of the inhabitation of the Spirit of God ; 
I was roused ; there was a something in their 
mode of explaining Scripture, of enforcing the 



MRS. COOPEH. 53 

importance of religion, of proving the vanity of 
sublunary things, and the sublime tendency of 
religion in exalting the soul and making it as- 
pire after a likeness to God, that was new to 
me — I was excited to more exertion ; and from 
reading the Life of the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, one 
of the Wesleyans' bright ornaments, I was in- 
troduced to a character that filled my soul with 
reverence, delight, and an aspiration after that 
grace which made him what he was. Some of 
his works were lent to me, and all I read con- 
firmed me in an opinion of the soundness of 
their Scriptural views. I never embraced the 
doctrines of Calvin, but when I viewed the 
scurrility, the intemperance in controversy, of 
some who are called by his name, and compar- 
ed all this with the Christian meekness of 
Wesley, and his amiable advocate Fletcher, I 
was convinced of the goodness of the cause. 
I saw also that their doctrines, while they in- 
sured an entire reliance on Christ for justifica- 
tion, demanded an evidence of that by aspiring 
after holiness of heart and life ; and maintained 
that it is by the fruits of faith that faith will be 
judged of at the day of judgment. 

The general nonconformity of that sect to 
the world, their zeal in the promotion of vital, 
practical godliness, as far as I can judge, both 
from their principles and practice, proclaim them 
the followers of the Lamb. I rejoice in their 
introduction to H — — , and the prosperity which 
apparently attends their labours. On the Mon- 
day evening I go and hear the same truths 



64 MEMOIRS OF 

applied to the hearts and understandings of all 
present; I hear them, I hope, with increasing 
profit. I have too long rested in an admiration 
of sermons as compositions. Lured by imagina- 
tion and eloquence, I have been charmed ; but, 
alas ! my heart has remained careless, and too 
much disposed to regard religion as a general 
thing, without applying it to my own heart : may 
I henceforward hear as for eternity ! O how 
much is at stake ! and why do I live, if the sal- 
vation of my soul be neglected ! When this frail 
tabernacle of clay shall be dissolved, which it 
4Soon must be, the soul will have burst its fetters, 
and know an existence of endless wo or happi- 
ness. My lot in life is then but of little conse- 
quence, for the stage is but short on which we act. 

Being about to accompany the family on a 
visit to Margate, she wrote as follows : — 

Aug. 13, 1809. — For a while then I am about 
to leave thee, my dear peaceful H — ; the de- 
lights of calm reflection and solitude, which, 
through the goodness of my Creator, I have ex- 
perienced in this my own room, make me almost 
disposed to think happiness local. I go, and shall 
witness the whirl of fashion, and the various ex- 
pedients fallen man devises for rilling up that 
vacuum, that search after comfort, to which 
every breast is a prey. I have experienced the 
vanity and unsatisfying nature of its enjoyments. 
The pearl of great price is the jewel I pant to ob- 
tain, to have an evidence within my own soul* 
that the spirit which hy nature is depraved is re- 



MRS. COOPER. 53 

hewed by grace ; that my judgment and affec- 
tions are purified from sin, and that the para- 
mount desire of my heart is to live to the glory of 
my God. Well then, what is change of place 
to me 1 I cannot go where my God is not : he 
pervades every place : his Spirit is near to those 
that seek him ; and the soul that has felt and 
enjoyed sweet communion with him cannot be 
absorbed and satisfied by the vain and trifling 
pleasures this world offers. 

As the means of grace are very various at 
Margate, I trust I shall be able in simplicity of % 
heart to obtain much good from them. O that 
the critical spirit which has so long haunted me, 
and robbed me of the benefit the humble fol* 
lower enjoys, may leave me. I go not to hear 
line compositions, but to hear the word of God 
faithfully explained ; and to prove my own ex- 
perience by the unerring standard of Scripture. 
I hope to enjoy the delights of meditation and 
reading by the sea shore ; and, ere the bustle 
of the day approaches, to rise early and seek 
God in his works, and ponder over his ways. 
O that I could live more under the impression 
of the eternal world that awaits me, the judg- 
ment that will come when every man will be^ 
judged according to his works. Death will be 
decisive to my soul, and " dangers stand thick 
through all the ground to push us to the tomb." 
O, my soul, be not satisfied till thou hast evi- 
dence of acceptance with God ; till thy worldly 
and corrupt affections are renewed ; till thou 
have resigned thyself entirely to God? and 



56 MEMOIRS OF 

every wish and desire be subservient to him i 
To shine as a light in the world, this is the 
Christian's object ; to do good to his fellow 
creatures, to strive by every means to do good 
to their souls, to visit the sick, and comfort 
those who are cast down. God can give 
strength to the weak, and he does it that his 
power may be made manifest. One instance of 
his goodness in blessing feeble means, I would 
acknowledge in the happy death of a dear 
child who went to the Sunday school ; those 
hymns which I took so much delight in teach- 
ing her consoled her amidst pain and death. 
I thank God, and would receive this as an 
encouragement to future and more unwearied 
exertion. I go, not knowing I shall ever return ; 
hut I trust I can lay my hand on my heart, and 
say, My trust and dependence for this life and 
eternal salvation is on Christ, who died to re- 
deem a fallen world ; and who is near to all 
who call upon him* 

O for faith to trust in that word which can 
introduce heaven into the soul, even in the 
tumultuous ocean of life ! 

JWargate> August 16, 1809. — After a most 
delightful passage of nine hours and a half, 
arrived safe at Margate ; every thing, both 
health and company, conspired to render it 
agreeable. 

The appearance of the town pleases me 
much, and I already anticipate much pleasure, 
more particularly as there are such various 
means of grace. I hope to have my mind 



MRS. COOPER. 57 

kept free for the reception of Divine truth, that 
the gayety I shall witness may not draw ray 
heart aside, and induce me once again to cull 
the flowers of pleasure ; which, by the fascina- 
tion of their appearance, lure the unwary. 

The noble ocean, on which the grandeur of 
the Deity is marked in such large characters, 
will be the object T shall most delight to con- 
template ; to say, " My Father made it all." 
O the exquisite sensation arising from such an 
application. 

Aug. 17, 1809.— Had a most delightful ride 
to Ramsgate, through Kingsgate and Broad- 
stairs ; with the first of these places I am 
charmed : there is great elegance in the ap- 
pearance of the town from the pier ; and as to 
that beautiful harbour, it delights and astonishes 
me more than any human construction I have 
ever seen : the sea from thence is a most mag- 
nificent spectacle. The country through which 
we rode is highly cultivated, and the bounties 
of harvest are just ready to be poured into the 
lap of ungrateful man : how beneficent is the 
Creator to the whole human race ! how seldom 
is his hand acknowledged ! he who should be 
the first in every man's thoughts ! Bountiful 
Creator, how art thou slighted, and thy benevo- 
lence insulted by fts abuse ! Heard a very good 
preacher at lady Huntingdon's chapel ; it was 
well attended. For nearly two hours I enjoy^ 
ed the lightning this evening. I become more 
and more enchanted with the terrible and sub^ 
Hrrie in nature. To gaze upon, the ethereal 



58 MEMOIRS OF 

flash as it bursts from the bosom of the dark 
thunder cloud, has an effect upon my mind with 
which I would not part for the finest show of 
art. It was not in the direction of the sea, 
or my admiration would have been twofold : 
whence this delight but from the power such 
spectacles have of raising my soul to the Su- 
preme Being ; of making me aspire after a 
union with him who is thus terrible in nature ; 
it excites me to anticipate that day when the 
lightnings of his wrath shall strike the devoted 
heads of those who have neglected him ; when 
every element will do its part to excite the 
general conflagration ; when an interest in the 
Saviour will secure me an admission into the 
paradise of God. For such a crown of glory, 
O why should I loiter ; why should the flinti- 
ness of the path make me look aside for the 
broad road of pleasure, in which thousands 
smoothly walk to the edge of the precipice : 
and unless arrested by the power of God, 
plunge headlong into eternal darkness ! 

Aug. IS. — Rose this morning at six o'clock, 
walked as far as Newgate on the Cliff; thence 
we descended to the sands. I particularly ad- 
mire the cliffs about this place ; they are beau- 
tifully bleached and battered by the waves. A 
most profound stillness reigrfed ; not even the 
murmur of the sea broke the silence ; nothing, 
save the fluttering of a little bird on whose soli- 
tude I had intruded ; it is in such a silence the 
soul delights to expand, and, as it were, burst 
the fetters which coji&ne it when in commerce 



, 



MRS. COOPER* 59 

xvith the world. With mingled delight and 
reverence I view our sea-girt shore, and those 
beauteous cliffs which have so long defied the 
power and malice of our enemies. J know not 
why ; perhaps I have now a greater power of 
enjoyment ; but they appear to me more charm- 
ing than any thing I have seen. 

This evening walked halfway to Kingsgate ; 
it was very retired, which consequently added 
to my enjoyment : there is one eminence which 
commands a very lovely view of Margate and 
North Down. The clearness and serenity of 
the evening conspired to heighten the beauty 
of the scene ; added to which, the corn in 
sheaves, and the thankfulness with which my 
heart dilated in viewing the treasures of Provi- 
dence, rendered the whole increasingly delight- 
ful. O that men would praise the Lord for his 
goodness ! " Ye harvests, wave to him." 

The accounts I had were so unfavourable, I 
feel astonished at the beauties of Margate : 
the country which I have seen is as rich and 
lovely as I ever saw : — perhaps, indeed, few 
have hearts so susceptible to the beauties of 
nature. " Not a cloud imbibes the setting sun's 
effulgence, not a strain from all the tenants of 
the warbling shade ascends from which my 
bosom cannot partake fresh pleasure unre- 
proved." From this honeyed store ten thousand 
enjoyments have hovered over my path, and 
to my capability of deriving reflections from the 
objects which surround me I am indebted for a 
local repository of comfort. I thank God that 



60 MEMOIRS Of 

retirement and exemption from gayety have 
produced this good. 

On our return about eight o'clock, we must 
needs peep at the gay Babel, and feel the stir ; 
the town was all light and bustle ; the libraries 
were crammed full with gay flutterers, dressed 
as for an assembly; the rooms elegantly lighted, 
and all, all vanity ; " a loorld ivithout souls." 
My soul, come not thou into their secret, lest I 
should practically forget that I have a soul ; 
and an immortal one ; to save which I must 
watch and strive against temptation ; scenes of 
vanity and dissipation must be avoided ; there 
is enough within to draw thee from God. O, 
then, avoid outward temptations ; go not under 
pretence of moralizing on its vanity : the ex- 
periment is dangerous : God and mammon can 
never be reconciled. 

Aug. 19, 1809.— After a pleasant walk of 
two hours, returned home quite refreshed and 
comfortable. On entering the room I found 
my dear mother bathed in tears, with a letter 
before [her containing an account of brother 
William's sudden attack of a most violent fever; 
the means prescribed by Mr. Pearson prove it 
to be highly putrid ; he was considered, when 

B wrote, rather out of danger ; the only 

alleviation we could have under such circum- 
stances. O, my God ! if my dear brother still 
live, grant that this sickness may not be unto 
death, but for his soul's health ! Vigorous as 
his health has been, yet the shafts of death arQ 
as likely to wound him as the more sickly. 



MRS. COOPER. 61 

All these circumstances should prove as in- 
centives to my diligence in the Divine life. 
Nothing can secure me from the sudden and 
unwarned approach of death ; he, with his fatal 
scythe, may mow down (one after another) 
every dear earthly comfort I possess. God 
alone is unchangeable, and the source of com- 
fort ; he pours balm into the wounded spirit; 
and bids it seek its treasures in those blessed 
regions where bliss is complete and inexhaust- 
ible. 

Aug. 23, 1809.— Through the goodness of 
God my dear brother William is better. I have 
enjoyed some sweet seasons of abstraction from 
the world on Sunday, and since. What is my 
object as a Christian? It is to increase in 
faith, and in conformity to the image of God ; 
to have that stamped on my soul, and to feel 
the presence of God diffuse itself through my 
heart and my judgment. Then I am not of the 
world ; my views, pleasures, and pursuits, must 
be different ; they are only dead fish that float 
down the stream ; I must swim against it. If 
the world hate you, marvel not ; they laugh 
and flutter for a day, and perish. The Chris- 
tian strives and fights for a day, and his toil and 
labour are ended ; everlasting rest and perfect 
peace are his reward for ever. O glorious 
prospect ! 

That glorious Being who created this lower 
world, who by his word formed all those beau- 
teous scenes in creation which now ravish my 
eyes, made all these for man ! what then will 



62 MEMOIRS OF 

the visions of eternal bliss be for the redeemed t 
when every faculty of the soul will be in full 
vigour and purity, when God will be all in all. 
How many have I read of in history who have 
waded through scenes of blood, who have sac- 
rificed every present pleasure and enjoyment, 
and thought nothing too much while a hope or 
chance remained of having an earthly crown 
placed on their heads ; and this with a proba- 
bility of very soon falling a sacrifice to their 
own ambition. 

Christian, be ashamed of thy supineness ; be 
not satisfied with the husks of this world, while 
there is heavenly manna within thy reach : they 
sought a corruptible crown ; thou hast offered 
to thee on incorruptible one. Be assured, 
however hard the struggle against sin, yet, 
having attained the conquest, so peaceful a 
serenity shall be diffused through thy soul, as 
shall repay all the toil and labour. A Christian 
must fight the good fight of faith. 

Heard this evening a most animating ser- 
mon from Mr. Liefchild, " For we shall see him 
as he is." His descriptions were so lively, that 
I almost thought he had had a peep at the 
glories of the eternal world. O vain transitory 
world, what are thy pleasures? fleeting as a 
shadow. 

I pant for everlasting bliss, for a state of hap- 
piness which neither knows interruption nor 
end. 

Aug. 28, 1809. — I exceedingly enjoyed the 
services of yesterday ; it was a Sabbath of de- 



IvIRS. COOPER. 63 

light to my soul ; I was three times at the 
Methodist chapel, where I heard a young man 
of promising talents, appointed hy the confer- 
ence for the ensuing year. In the morning his 
sermon was on prayer, " The effectual fervent 
prayer of a righteous man availeth much :" he 
showed its advantages in prosperity : how the 
blessings of Providence were doubly enjoyed 
by a sense of the goodness of the benefactor; 
the mind kept humble, and from vaunting itself 
against those who are in a lower situation, from 
a grateful acknowledgment to the Divine Be- 
ing ; that it is from his hand alone such bless- 
ings are bestowed : and that temporal superi- 
ority is alone from him who dispenses his gifts. 
I note this particularly, because prosperity 
appears to me a great trial to the Christian ; 
when surrounded by present good, in possession 
of health, wealth, and friends, O how prone to 
say, " Soul, take thine ease ;" while sailing on 
a smooth sea, the anticipation of the harbour is 
not half so delightful as when tossed on the 
angry billows ; then the sight of port, how does 
it animate and refresh ; and yet, as good Mr. 
Day says, what base ingratitude is it, to make 
those very blessings our Creator bestows upon 
us the means of forgetting him ; and by an 
abuse of the good things of this life to destroy 
our souls. 

I am now in possession of health and every 
temporal blessing ; ought I not particularly 
to devote myself to that God who has made me 
a recipient of such various and unmerited bless- 



64 MEMOIRS Of 

ings? The only return, the only tribute of 
gratitude I can render to thee, thou God of love, 
is, to give up my heart, all I have and am, to 
thy service : to answer the great end of my 
existence, by a continual acknowledgment of 
that goodness which brought me into being and 
sustains it ; but above all, for a hope of eternal 
life through the great atoning sacrifice. His 
precious death and resurrection is the life of 
all my hopes ; all my desire is to repose in the 
arms of his mercy, and to be with him for ever. 
O unspeakable love ! While I can hear with 
so much advantage as I did yesterday, I shall 
go to the Methodist chapel ; there is a plain- 
ness and simplicity in the appearance of the 
chapel and people, which suit my mind better 
than Zion chapel. Beside, there is a something 
in their mode of preaching which I always find 
profitable ; there is a view of eternity in their 
addresses to the Deity, which rouses and fixes 
my attention. I do most entirely agree with the 
sentiments of that people. John Wesley's 
opinions accord with those I long since formed 
from reading the Bible. I seem to catch the 
flame, the heavenly flame, which burns among 
them ; their nonconformity to the world, and 
their gradual assimilation to the Divine nature, 
the happy assurance so many among them 
have. 0, it is religion in its po*ver, in its 
peaceful and holy effects. 

In the afternoon of yesterday was the prayer 
meeting. In the evening the same young man 
displayed considerable ability in discoursing 






MRS. COOPER. 65 

from 1 Cor. i, 23 : "We preach Christ crucified." 
His sermon contained a summary of those 
doctrines he intended to deliver among that 
people; most ably he defended the divinity of 
our Lord. I enjoyed uncommon peace and 
liveliness of mind yesterday ; prayer, instead of 
a weariness, was a delight to me. 

O Christianity, thou wast ushered into the 
world, as "peace and good will to man ;" and so 
thou art and ever wilt be to those who receive 
thy glorious truths in meekness, with a practical 
desire of conforming the soul to the Divine 
image. Those who advance in grace will ad- 
vance in happiness ; the more this world is 
subdued, the brighter, the more glorious, will 
be the anticipation of that state which God has 
appointed as the resting place for all his people. 

Sept. 1, 1809. — On Monday had a very 
delightful ride to Minster ; it is surrounded by 
many trees, and is altogether picturesque and 
beautiful. 

The church is a very ancient structure ; and 
the churchyard, which is very large, contains 
but few graves. How duTerent to the crowded 
cemeteries about London ! I like to visit every 
repository of the dead where I go ; no mean 
surely should be neglected to familiarize that 
solemn certain event, which will soon arrive. 
From an eminence about a mile from Minster, 
I had a view of the whole island of Thanet ; 
the sea girds a great part of it ; at one point is 
seen the Downs, in which the vessels look like 
a forest ; to the right of that is a very fine cul- 
5 



66 MEMOIRS OF 

tivated land view ; it reminded me much of 
Fortsdown. 

On our return we rode through Birchington : 
we visited its churchyard, a favourite place of 
my brother Joseph's. I saw three beautiful 
epitaphs which I intend to go purposely to copy. 
Here is a very fine view of the Reculvers. My 
mind was just in a frame to enjoy the beauties 
of nature, and to adopt the language of Cowper, 
"My Father made them all ;" my eyes were full 
of tears when I thought of this blessed rela- 
tion. 

On Tuesday evening we rode through St. 
Peters to Broadstairs ; then to part of the 
Ramsgate road, where we had a very distinct 
view of the coast of France, Pegwell bay, and 
the ships in its harbour. The sun set in cloud- 
less splendour just behind St. Peter's church. 
We returned through Kingsgate, having passed 
the Fore-land lighthouse, just then lighted up. 
It is a lovely village ; its beauty was much 
heightened by the last faint gleam of the setting 
sun upon its various ruins. I find much to 
interest me in this island. 

Wednesday morning we walked on the sands, 
visited some of the caverns ; scenes rude and 
wild ; we much enjoyed it ; sitting at the foot 
of one of the cliffs, we listened to the murmur- 
ing of the flowing tide. 

Such scenes are favourable to abstraction of 
mind. How is the soul to be pitied* which in 
such scenes does not recognize the finger of 
<2od ! which does not seek a friend in him who 



MRS. COOPER. 6T 

has such boundless power. The 38th chapter 
of Job, how appropriate to such scenes. 

In the evening brother B n and I walked 

on the fort between ten and eleven. The 
lightning had just ceased ; but the clouds, full 
of electricity, hung over the deep most sublimely. 
Over our heads the stars we're shining in un- 
clouded lustre. In the eastern hemisphere was 
the moon reposing on clouds of the darkest 
hue, whose summits were tipped with glowing 
light; again she awoke from her sleep, and 
shed her trembling beams on the boundless 
ocean. Such scenes delight and ravish my 
eyes above all this world affords ; they raise my 
thoughts to Him, who by a word brought all this 
immensity into existence. " Lord, what is manP 
How vain are all the pomps of this our world. 
I would soar to those regions where my soul will 
be satisfied with a view of Him who, though 
infinite, views with delight the spirit who seeks 
his favour. 

Sept. 8, 1809. — There is certainly more real 
pleasure and solid satisfaction in the fulfilment 
of domestic plans of usefulness, than are to be 
found in the varieties of a new place and new 
scenes : these soon cease to charm ; and the 
want of full occupation and means of being 
actively useful, press on my mind. I do not 
lie down at night with the pleasing reflection 
that I have imparted comfort to the aged by 
being eyes to them, and reading to them a por- 
tion of that word which is so much their support; 
nor can I reflect on having endeavoured to 



68 MEMOIRS OF 

speak a word for religion to the careless poor, 
&c. I seem almost to live in vain, and long 
for the return of that solid satisfaction which an 
endeavour at usefulness inspires. 

I have spent two evenings at the bathing 
room very pleasantly. The gallery which over- 
looks the sea is delightful. On one evening I 
saw the phosphoric illumination of the waves. 
I have occasionally met with two very sensible 
women there ; one an officer's widow, young 
and lively ; the other appears about thirty, 
single and an invalid : with the latter I had a 
good deal of serious conversation ; she seems 
generally impressed with the importance of 
religion ; and although not abstracted from the 
gayeties of life, has but little relish for them. 
Her judgment seems more powerful than her 
resolution. I do indeed feel for such characters, 
who, while halting between two opinions, find 
enjoyment in neither; they feel the aching 
void within : the world denies them comfort ; 
Heaven offers it, but they refuse. 

Sept 15, 1809. — Walked to North Down, 
my favourite village ; it unites the beauties of 
landscape and sea views, and contains many 
very pretty farm houses. 

From thence we crossed the fields to the 
Walpole-wreck ; walked for some distance on 
the cliff, and then descended to the sands, which 
we found remarkably firm. The tide was fast 
coming in : the azure sky reflected a most 
lovely peacock hue on the sea. The flocks of 
ocean were abroad : we ran toward them, and 
kissed them with our feet. 



MRS. COOPER. 69 

The cliffs in that part are strikingly wild ; 
and the deep solitude which there reigned 
among the caverns, added to the beauty of the 
marine productions, produced in us almost an 
ecstasy. In such scenes I am an enthusiast, 
and hardly know what other circumstances 
could produce equal rapture. 

The solemn silence which pervaded those 
scenes, rude and wild, very much added to the 
interest they excited in my mind. 

Sej)t. 16, 1809. — This day another year is 
added to my mortal existence. Has the past 
year added any improvement to the preceding 
ones ? It demands self-recollection. How 
large the catalogue of mercies ; of Divine 
favours ! — Where shall I begin to speak of 
goodness so boundless? No chasm made 
among my earthly friends ; my dear parents 
still spared ; yet in possession of earthly abund- 
ance : still in the enjoyment of health, reason, 
and all other faculties. My heart alone is the 
offering I can make to God for so many favours. 
I hope I do record it with humble gratitude, that 
for the last six months my affections have been 
more given to God and religion than the pre- 
ceding six months ; that I have been more alive 
to the requirements of Christianity upon my 
heart : I have found more delight in devotion, 
and greater desires after conformity to the 
Divine image : in short, religion has appeared 
to me the one thing needful ; and the attain* 
ment of eternal glory the grand end of my ex> 
istence, 



70 MEMOIRS OF 

I feel daily more and more the need of watch- 
fulness and the influence of the Spirit to keep 
alive my good desires and resolutions ; for I 
know my heart is deceitful and the world allur- 
ing. Experience has shown me, that one great 
cause of religious declension is a carelessness in 
devotion, and neglect of reading the Scriptures; 
hence I would have set seasons for both, and 
conscientiously observe them : also attend 
punctually, and as frequently as circumstances 
will admit, preaching in the week evenings ; I 
have found the benefit of this. The worldly 
are very eager in the pursuit of their pleasures; 
pleasures which produce satiety — shall I then, 
who am a probationer for heavenly pleasures, 
be slow in seeking them — and shall I suffer 
every little trifle to rob me of them'? O, for- 
bid it ! It is not an earthly shadow, but an 
eternal substance I seek after. It demands 
my constant attention, my most fervent de- 
votions. 

Let not the universal carelessness which 
prevails about unseen things deter me* Our 
Lord foretold this : he says, the gate is strait, 
and but few enter it ; but he also forewarns me 
of that place where the worm never dies. 

I do record it, on this anniversary of my birth, 
that I desire more devotedly than I ever' have 
done to give myself up, all I have and am, to 
my God ; to press forward in the Divine life, 
and to aim at that perfection which is the glory 
and happiness of the saints. These are my 
birthday hopes and resolutions ; and my hand- 



MRS. COOPER. tl 

writing will witness against me if I swerve from 
these paths of religion and peace. 

I hope I have gained something from observa- 
tion the past year. I live to but little purpose 
if experience do net teach me ; and if the com- 
mission of error in one instance do not deter 
me from the same when a similar occasion 
offers. 

I made some progress in history last winter ; 
the ensuing one I purpose reading either Hume's 
or Rapin's History of England : and yet, alas ! 
how much time is taken up with trifles : for 
instance, I sit down to work, I loiter, I perhaps 
read in the interim, or look off; I wish to cor- 
rect this, and when I return home to have more 
entire order in my pursuits ; to husband time, 
as that for which I must give account. May 
the succeeding year, if I live to complete it, find 
me more decidedly devoted to God ; less earthly- 
minded, and abounding more in good works. 
•Mark this, religion is a progressive vrork, no 
standing still ; either on the advance or on the 
decline — if it dwells in the soul, it will transform 
the nature, subdue evil, and be gradually assim- 
ilating it to the Divine image. 

I have received a letter from my dear Mary 
Ann* to-day ; my friendship for her glows with 
undiminished ardour. I thank God for the gift 
of such a friend. I hope we shall more and 
more stimulate and stir up each other to the 
pursuit of objects which are Divine ; and to 

* Miss W,, a pious young lady, one of her most inti- 
mate acquaintances. 



72 MEMOIRS or 

resign our all entirely to our heavenly Father* 
who careth for those who seek his face. 

Sept. 17, 1809. — I have heard three very 
excellent discourses from the venerable Mr. 
Bull, in consequence of a sudden illness of Mr. 
Lake : he officiated at Zion chapel. His 
sermon from Prov. ix, 5, had a reference to the 
Lord's Supper, which he afterward administered 
in his own way. In the afternoon he preached 
from 1 Cor. *i, 30. In the evening he was 
induced to choose for his text, Psalm xxiii, 4, 
in consequence of the death of a Mr. Atkinson, 
who the last Sunday was a hearer in that 
chapel. 

To hear such a Christian who is on the verge 
of glory, on the tiptoe of heavenly expectation; 
to hear him discourse on death, O ! it is sooth- 
ing and encouraging to the mind. He has 
given me a new view of the text ; by the meta- 
phor of a shadow how much consolation is 
implied ! " As the Hebrew poets often availed 
themselves of objects in nature to illustrate 
their meaning, so he supposed that the figure, 
the shadow of death, was borrowed from a very 
deep and dark valley, through which the brook 
Cedron passed. Through this valley our dear 
Saviour passed, in going to the garden of Geth- 
semane. The dark vailey then is not death, 
but the shadow of it. The believer does not 
die at all : it is but the shadow of death. Con- 
ceive death in its most tremendous form ; yet, 
being a shadow, there is no real substantial 
reason for you to fear it : you walk through it, 



MRS. COOPER. 73 

do not stand in it ; and the Shepherd is at the 
end of the valley to receive you. The rod 
signifies a crook, by which a shepherd may 
bring back a wandering sheep : it also implies 
afflictions and trials. They are generally at- 
tendant on death. By the staff is meant, that 
power by which God supports and comforts his 
people : by the rod of affliction, and the staff of 
comfort, they safely pass through the valley, 
and reach the place of eternal repose." I have 
imperfectly noted a few of the remarks which 
struck me. 

Oct. 2, 1809. — I enjoyed my walk very much 
before breakfast ; the weather mild and peace- 
ful ; quite a contrast to what it has been for the 
last fortnight. Walked on my favourite Kings- 
gate road, as far as the Mill-hill : thence 
crossed the fields to Newgate, which I de- 
scended, and sat at the foot of the cliff for some 
time ; not a sound to break the deep repose ; 
the state of my mind accorded with it. I found 
much delight in that part of Baxter's Saints' 
Rest, in which he enforces consideration as a 
chief help to heavenly contemplation. If the 
weather permit, I will repeat my early visits to 
that sacred spot : the time for my leaving them 
is near at hand. 

This evening there was a watch-night at the 
Methodist chapel : the first time of my ever 
being at one. It began at seven, and ended at 
half past nine. It was a very solemn service. 
Mr. Cusworth preached, Mr, Williams delivered 
an exhortation, and several of the society 



74 MEMOIRS OF 

engaged in prayer. The brevity and uncer* 
tainty of life were chiefly dwelt upon, and the 
importance of preparing for our latter end : the 
whole was conducted in a very serious and 
impressive manner. 

Oct. 5, 1809. — -Almost the whole of yester- 
day morning, from half past six, I was strolling 
by the sea side, among cliffs and sands. I 
shall soon leave them, and that with much regret. 
My recollections of the two months I have 
spent here must ever be pleasing to me ; and 
my heart now exults with praise to God that so 
much of my enjoyment has been derived from 
love to him and his works. Whenever I have 
sought retirement I have found it ; hence the 
bustle and gayety of the place have not offended 
me. I have chiefly attended at the Wesleyan 
chapel ; and have been much pleased, and I 
hope profited, by the preaching of Mr. Williams. 
He manifests great theological knowledge ; and 
his preaching is quite of an experimental cast. 
I do become increasingly attached to the Wes- 
Jeyans : their preaching appears to me to com- 
bine more of the whole Gospel than I have 
before heard : there is an earnestness in their 
addresses which tends to keep aiive the flame of 
Divine love in my heart, to give me fervour in 
prayer, and enlighten my understanding of the 
Scriptures. 

This morning we took a delightful walk with 
Joseph to a very rustic village called Nash; 
surrounded by a great many trees, in the midst 
0f which we discovered a mud-wall thatched 



MRS. COOPER. 75 

cottage, the most rude of its kind I ever beheld ; 
every thing around it completed the picture. I 
crept through the wicket gate, and was deter- 
mined to see the inside ; where I found a good 
woman, who gave me a welcome peep at her 
little cot, in which ev&ry thing was very com- 
fortable. She had lived there thirty years, and 
has eight children now grown up. 

This evening I took a farewell evening walk 
in Hubbard's gallery ; a lovely starlight night : 
the sea rolled in sublimely ; rather phosphoric. 
I had a very pleasing conversation with brother 
Joseph : we compared our occasional feelings 
of rapture in contemplating the works of God ; 
surely of all earthly enjoyments the most sub- 
lime, pure, and refined. Nature is an exhaust- 
less store of entertainment. 

Oct. 6, 1809.— Arose at dawn this morning 
to see Joseph off for London. The morning 
star shone with splendour ; while 

Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 

With rosy lustre purpled o'er the lawn. 

The sun had just unbarred the portals of the 
east, when I hasted forth to enjoy his splendour. 
Agreeably to my intention yesterday, I visited 
the favourite field of my dear brother Joseph : 
it was so lovely that I lingered for a while, con- 
templating the enchanting effects of a morning 
sun laying his golden beams on woods, fields, 
and streams. / 

Ah ! what do the slothful lose. I had my 
second collection of poetry, in which I found 
parts highly adapted to enhance my enjoyment 



76 MEMOIRS OF 

of the scene ; some of the Psalms I read with 
peculiar delight ; particularly those three which 
begin " The Lord reigneth." I then proceeded 
to Dandelion ; the gardens are pretty, and 
refreshing to the sight. The larks, as I walked, 
sung their morning song sweetly : every thing 
was so lovely, that, though the distance was 
great, I found no fatigue: my heart was, indeed, 
uplifted to nature's God, from whom I derived 
springs of comfort and exultation. O blessed 
seasons ! in which I have wandered forth, alone, 
and found my solitude more ^weet, more ani- 
mating, than could be produced by all the 
artificial means the world offers. 

I walked again from eleven to two, and ex- 
plored nearly the whole of North Down : it 
is remarkably shady : and the hedges in the 
lanes particularly luxuriant : the cottages and 
farm houses are strikingly picturesque. As I 
walked I read a great part of the second volume 
of Mrs. West's Letters ; in which, as in the 
first, she displays great acuteness of observa- 
tion, and an uncommon sense of moral propriety. 
As to religion, she defends our establishment in 
all its parts, and is, indeed, quite its eulogist ; 
seceding from it seems, indeed, a high crime 
and misdemeanor. But there appears to me a 
grand deficiency in her system ; while advocat- 
ing a rational religion she puts aside that vital 
experimental piety which is so manifestly insist- 
ed on in the New Testament ; and the fanati- 
cism of a few misguided zealots has induced her 
to conclude all religious feeling to be enthusiasm* 



MRS. COOPER. 77 

In this part she is very exceptionable, as also 
in her endeavour to unite the world and religion, 
which I must ever think incompatible. Not- 
withstanding this, she gives proof of having 
thought and read much on Christianity ; and 
some very good remarks are the result. 

I bade a long farewell to those sweet scenes 
on which I have often gazed with rapture. 

Oct 10, 1809.— We left Margate on the 7th, 
and reached Canterbury in the afternoon, where 
we met with a very welcome reception from our 
kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. G . 

The country about Canterbury is more beau- 
tifully picturesque than any I have ever before 
seen. Before breakfast I went to see the Dane 
John, a mound of. earth said to have been 
thrown up by the Danes in one night ;— it has 
a circular walk to the top, which commands a 
fine view of the city and country ; near it are 
the ruins of an old castle : the fortifications are 
in this part in good preservation. The ruins of 
St. Augustine's monastery are a very fine 
object. After breakfast took a country walk ; 
saw St. Martin's church, the oldest in England ; 
remarkable only for its antiquity and situation. 
It was well I saw Margate first ; the country 
here is so much superior, that the comparison 
would not have been favourable ; yet I shall 
ever think of Margate, as having there enjoyed 
such heart-felt pleasure in her less lovely 
walks. 

Oct. 11, 1809. — I attended cathedral ser- 
vice, and afterward walked through the building* 



¥8 MEMOIRS OF 

The antiquity of this church, its renown in 
history, excited in my mind a peculiar interest. 
*Xt3 exterior is very grand. As it was erected 
in the darkest ages of popery, it contains many 
relics of its thraldom. A hundred thousand 
pilgrims, from all parts of the world, in one 
year, paid their devotions at the shrine of 
Thomas a Becket! The stone steps they as- 
cended, quite worn into a curve, appear to 
authenticate this. An altar was erected near 
the tomb of Edward the Black Prince, before 
which, mass, morning and evening, was offered 
up for the peace of his soul ! The step on 
which these devotees knelt is also worn into 
hollows. I saw a confessional also : my heart 
rose with thankfulness to that God who has 
caused those days of darkness to cease. — 
There were two or three pieces of sculpture 
which excited my admiration more than any I 
ever before saw : one of Dean Wootton, in 
which he is represented as kneeling before an 
altar of the most beautiful stone work : his pos- 
ture is life, and the countenance is expressive 
to a wonderful degree, particularly the ears. 
Another, of the founder of Oxford university : 
there were two representations of him ; one of 
his appearance when in full health, stout and 
handsome : below it, in the same posture, you 
see him as he was when he died, a mere skele- 
ton, exquisitely executed. Above are twelve 
images of the apostles, and one of the same 
size representing Death : on the corresponding 
side is a figure of Time with his scythe. To 



MRS. COOPER. 79 

discover all the beauties of this place would 
require several hours' inspection. The chair 
on which the kings of Kent were crowned is 
there ; and is said to be the greatest piece of 
antiquity in England ; on it the arrhbishops are 
installed into their office. The depredations 
of Cromwell are manifested in various places. 

I ascended the belfry, two hundred and 
fourteen steps high : the prospect which the 
highest tower commands is too beautiful for 
description. The city, with its various ruins, 
added to the uncommon richness of the coun- 
try ; the river Stour beautifully meandering 
through the richest vales, and the distant view 
of the cliffs near Ramsgate, surpass descrip- 
tion. 

Oct. 18, 1809. — The remains of my darling 
nephew I have just seen committed to the cold 
and silent tomb. All that pertains to death is 
awfully impressive ; and if we go not beyond 
the eye of sense, it is overwhelming. Can the 
mortal part charm when the spirit has left it 1 
O no. Why is it then that the body, which 
must so soon turn to corruption, occupies so 
large a portion of our thoughts 1 It is vain. 
The spirit which animated it cannot die, can- 
not see corruption : — hence those who live a 
life of sense, whose thoughts are occupied in 
decking this corruptible clay, have strangely 
lost the right perception of things. How awful 
is our state, independent of revelation ! Of 
few days and full of trouble. The flowers 
which to-day delight and ravish our eyes, to- 



80 MEMOIRS OF 

morrow are cut down and withered. All on 
earth must say to corruption, Thou art my 
mother, and to the worm, Thou art my sister. 
Such is our destiny by nature. But thou, my 
soul, hast higher hopes, and sublimer expecta- 
tions : thy immortal interests are, through 
grace, thy chief concern : thou hast been 
taught by the word of God, that though the 
outward tabernacle be dissolved, thou hast a 
building of God, a house not made with hands, 
eternal in the heavens. Joyful prospect ! Live 
but in the preparation for this, and death will 
lose its sting, the grave its terrors, and the 
world its charms. Well then, be not cast 
down ; all on earth is changeable : there is no 
rest here : thou hast proved its insufficiency to 
impart one moment's real solid satisfaction. 
But God is unchangeable ; his arms of mercy 
are ever open to receive those who seek him ; 
his promises are as eternal as his nature, The 
only wisdom is to seek God, and to prepare to 
meet him. Remember, O my soul, that every 
day thou art called upon to remember thy God, 
to seek his favour, and to begin here that em- 
ploy which is the bliss of angels and glorified 
spirits. Religion, if it exist in the soul, must 
subdue sin ; it must be manifested in every 
action of the life ; tempers must be sanctified, 
holy dispositions implanted. These are the 
evidences of a state of grace ; it is this which 
makes the soul easy under all the afflictions of 
life ; by the simple act of faith, the looking 
unto Jesus, these blessed effects will follow. 



MRS. COOPEK. 81 

This is the blessed union which subsists be- 
tween Christ and his people ; these are the 
evidences of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, 
which can make the Christian joyous, happy, 
and even triumphant, in the anticipation of that 
event which I have this day witnessed. 

The silent tomb must be my last mortal 
abode : it may be very soon. The dear child 
three days before he died was apparently in the 
bloom of health and beauty. Death, having 
received his commission, unbarred to him the 
gates of paradise, and presented him as a 
trophy of the Redeemer's blood. And, O ! if 
when mortal paleness is on ray cheek, glory be 
but in my soul ; kind messenger, with all thy 
gloomy train, I will welcome thy approach, and 
hail thee as a friend. 

Oct 30, 1809.— Once again I have the en- 
joyment of my quiet home. Mercy has sur- 
rounded me ever since I left it ; mercy now 
gladdens my heart, and makes me in some de- 
gree possess that peace which passeth under- 
standing. Shall I ever leave those paths of 
religion on which I have entered ? Ever 
return to that world with which I am at vari- 
ance? O! n*o. With the practice of religion 
is connected much enjoyment ; in the experi- 
ence of religion are found the peace and joy 
which fill and satisfy the immortal soul. It 
is only the Spirit of God which can satisfy the 
spirit of man : religion alone affords objects 
worthy of its regard. 

How many motives have I for constant 
6 



82 MEMOIRS OF 

prayer, for daily importunity with God, that I 
may be kept in the paths of life and happiness ! 
For this end I must continue to use those 
means which the Holy Spirit hath blessed to 
me. If I forsake God I shall lose the light of 
his countenance, bring bitterness on my soul, 
and disgrace my profession. O, blessed God ! 
I desire again to devote myself to thy service ; 
I give thee my heart, and would entreat thee to 
impart a portion of thy Spirit, that every faculty 
of my soul may be renewed. 

■ 'Nov. 10, 1S09. — This morning the Wes- 
leyan chapel was opened by Mr. Moore ; and 
in the evening Dr. Clarke preached. The 
edification I have found in that connection is a 
powerful motive for my embracing every op- 
portunity of attending the ministration of God 
in that place. In truth, my views of religion 
have been so much enlarged and invigorated 
"for the last eight months, that the prior know- 
ledge I had of it seems to rne now to have been 
more speculative than experimental, more no- 
tional than practical. 

Nov. 16, 1809.— The life of God in the soul 
can only be maintained by constant watchful- 
ness ; it is vain to compromise with the world ; 
by so doing spirituality is banished. A well- 
grounded peace with God can only be possess- 
ed by the heart that has entirely, without any 
reserve, given up all to God. 

The inestimable blessing of Divine illumina- 
tion, the gift of the Holy Spirit, is only promised 
to those that seek it. Perseverance is needful; 



MRS. COOPER. 83 

and when the infinite value of this gift is con- 
sidered, surely the soul should possess itself 
with patience and diligent seeking till the Divine 
breathing be communicated. I have always 
found the blessings of grace dispensed to me in 
proportion to my diligence in seeking them. 
Much profit Ihave found by stated seasons of 
devotion, and devotional reading. This is, 
indeed, great encouragement for me most dili- 
gently and importunately to seek that sense of 
God's pardoning mercy which shall diffuse the 
peace which passeth understanding. Many 
have sweetly experienced this, and have given 
proof that they have obtained it by an entire 
renewal of the soul ; this is the lost image of 
God restored. 

My confidence in God is greatly strength- 
ened. The world has lost all its charms for 
me ; and " the pearl of great price" is what I 
most desire to possess : — to keep my heart with 
all diligence, to watch the first risings of sin, 
and to fear the quenching of the Holy Spirit — 
this be now my care and business. Religion 
demands my time, my talents, and my affec- 
tions ; and I bless God I have no desire to 
make any reserve. I desire to be wholly the 
Lord's ; and to prove it by holiness in all man- 
ner of conversation. I must indeed daily pray 
and strive against pride and warmth of temper : 
the first manifests itself when my favourite 
opinions are opposed. Here, indeed, a strict 
watch is necessary. I must avoid controversy 
in religion; and remember that acrimony and 



SI MEMOIRS OF v 

taking offence are great proofs that piety has 
not its due influence on the heart. 

JYov. 29, 1809. — -Since my return from Mar- 
gate I have made scarcely any progress in my 
historical reading ; the bent ot my taste and 
inclinations has been so strongly toward theo- 
logy and devotional books, that I have but 
little relish for trifling reading. My mind is 
now, I think, made up as to the Scriptural na- 
ture and holy tendency of the doctrines Mr. 
Wesley embraced and enforced. I have been 
happy in the investigation ; and am most firmly 
persuaded that his view of Christian perfection 
is at once the privilege and the happiness of the 
Christian ; an eminence which it is necessary 
to strive and pray to obtain. It is not for us 
to sit down in calm indifference and wait for 
these influences of the Holy Spirit ; this bless- 
ing is only bestowed on those who believe, and 
who earnestly pray and w T ait for this full re- 
demption. Although I am not yet the happy pos- 
sessor of it, I am greatly encouraged by that 
promise, Psalm cxlv, 19 : " He will fulfil the 
desire of them that fear him ; he also will hear 
their cry and will save them." I must watch 
and pray, and live by faith on Jesus Christ, who 
hath said, " Ask, and ye shall receive ;" and 
while I do this in sincerity I shall not be con- 
founded ; for his promises are as immutable as 
his nature. 

To-morrow there will be a love-feast : I am 
permitted to attend. There seem difficulties 
in the way of my joining the society, or I cer- 



MRS. COOPER. 85 

tainly would ; I owe much to their preaching ; 
and this is a debt I hope still to increase. 
There is a simplicity of mind about them of 
which I desire to partake ; as a new-born babe 
to receive the sincere milk of the word that I 
may grow thereby. 

Dec. 2, 1809. — Only blessed are they who 
have a 'present salvation ; who with holy confi- 
dence can call God, Abba, Father: this bless- 
ed relation producing conformity to his will,, 
and a supreme love to him and his ways. 
" But while I seek and find thee not, 
No peace my wandering soul shall see." 

For the last week I hope I have in sincerity 
waited on God in prayer. I believe I have ; 
nor can I charge myself with indifference to- 
ward him. Yet, alas ! I am in bondage. Be- 
fore I went to sleep one night I asked myself* 
" Should death present himself to me this night, 
have I a ground of confidence to insure my 
peace at the summons 1" Alas! no. Doubts 
prevailed. Were I justified by faith, I feel 
assured that death would have no terrors in 
apprehension. Well, then, I must wait the 
coming of the Lord. Though he seem to tarry 
long, true and faithful is his word. Another 
source of grief I find in the want of spirituality 
of mind : when I awake in the morning my 
thoughts wander upon trifles — but, O ! how 
rarely do they fix themselves on God ; and 
rise in holy aspirations to his glorious name. 
Were God the supreme, the only object of my 
love, would not my thoughts be of him last at 



86 MEMOIRS OF 

night, and first in the dawn of morn 1 t W&0 
much comforted by a sermon of Mr. Martin's 
on Monday evening, on the omniscience of 
God. "Will God in very deed dwell with 
men? Behold the heaven," &c. I have suf- 
fered much from unbelief on this head. Of 
how many precious consolations have I been 
robbed by the evil suggestions, " Doth God, 
indeed (concerned as he is with the infinitude of 
his affairs,) stoop tonotice my mean concerns V 
Mr. M. forcibly appealed to my reason, and my 
religion, as to the absurdity and evil of these 
suggestions. God is a Spirit, and no spirit can 
exist without his energy ; indeed, were it other- 
wise it would imply an imperfection in his na- 
ture. From Satan are all those dishonourable 
doubts which have at times but too much occu- 
pied my thoughts. In adopting the sentiments 
of the Wesleyans I have thought it justice to 
myself, and to the cause of truth, well to study* 
think upon, and investigate the matter : perhaps 
this external examination has been unfavourable 
to internal piety. Locke's Essay on St. Paul's 
Epistles has fully satisfied me of the injustice 
of taking detached verses or passages to build 
a doctrine upon ; which, were the whole tenor 
and design of the letter or epistle taken, would 
have a primary and different signification. The 
apostle's arguments in his Epistle to the Ro- 
mans are more especially respective of the 
Jews and Gentiles. This seems clear in read- 
ing the whole epistle at once, and by this we 
may ascertain the drift of his argument. 



tons, coopeii. 87 

Dec. 11, 1809. — The last week I enjoyed 
many moments of sweet inexpressible consola- 
tion ; at times I enjoyed an ejaculatory com- 
munion with God ; although I have not had 
that distinct assurance of his pardoning love, 
for which I most earnestly pray ; yet I cannot 
but receive these occasional visitations of his 
favour as tokens for good ; that in his own 
time I shall experience that blissful union with 
him, and that ardent love to him, which I desire. 
O my God, have I not given myself up to thee? 
Is not my entire dependence on thy beloved 
Son, whom thou didst give a ransom for all ? I 
desire to act constant faith on him ; to give him 
the best, the warmest desires of my heart ; to 
have him reign unrivalled there ! Shall I seek his 
face in vain? No, I cannot doubt his promise, 
who to the present time has been so faithful. It 
is through his grace I am what I am; and that I 
can truly say, I desire God as my portion. My 
happiness and hopes are centred alone in him ; 
and I long and pray to have every faculty of my 
soul absorbed in Divine love. This will reno- 
vate my nature, and make me grieve even at 
the thought of sinning against so much good- 
ness. Though I outwardly check the evils of 
my nature, yet if they rise within, what cause of 
humility and of constant application to the blood 
of Jesus. 

Dec. 13, 1809.— I believe that an habitual 
sense of the uncertainty of life would be the 
most prevailing incentive to a devotional, holy 
frame of mind. It was an unhallowed thought 



88 MEMOIRS OF 

that arose, (I checked it by the above consf~ 
deration,) " Why this early strictness ; you are 
yet young 1 how will you be able to maintain 
present views for many years'?" My time is in 
thy hands, O God. Do I not desire thy favour 
as a present happiness I Do I not strive to over- 
come my sins that I may enjoy thee, and through 
thy Spirit be prepared for everlasting blessed- 
ness 1 And is not the delight, the sacred com- 
posure resulting from the conquest of sin, infi- 
nitely more desirable than being overcome by it 2 
I wish to take the word of God as it is : 
that is faith, to receive it with childlike simpli- 
city ; to be taught by the Spirit ; this is the 
wisdom I ask of God. What is earthly wisdom 
in comparison of this? But the wisdom the 
Most High imparts here, he will perfect here- 
after "in ..the iloods of celestial light." Not 
that I decry earthly knowledge ; — it is most de- 
sirable when in subserviency to religion. His- 
tory and science may be consecrated at the 
cross ; they enlarge our conception of God's 
dealings with the world, and of his infinite wis- 
dom, power, and goodness, in the wonderful 
formation and preservation of the world, and all 
therein. Here we discover our slender con- 
ceptions, and our feeble attempts to trace the 
causes of the various phenomena, the effects of 
which so forcibly strike us. O ! bend low at 
the footstool of the Deity ; man is but a 
worm : if thou be a Christian, the world is & 
conquered enemy. Where should it lie the** 
but at thy feet I 



MRS. COOPER. 89 

Dec. 20, 1809. — Daily experience convinces 
rne how dependent I am on God for all spiritual 
assistance, and for the power through which I 
can persevere. Without his present help who 
fills heaven and earth, I sink, I die. I have 
power to use the means ; and no blessings 
ever attend me without them. But the means 
would be no blessings were I not to seek the 
assistance of the Spirit of God. 

Were I to read trifling books, pay trifling 
visits, or neglect stated seasons for devotion, 
my poor heart would again become the seat of 
earthly vanities. 

Thus far I am a free agent ; I can avoid the 
former, and can direct my attention to the latter ^ 
and by so doing I often find the blessed pre- 
sence of God. 

Though I am still an entire debtor to his 
grace, yet God works by means ; and he is 
faithful to his promises ; those that seek do 
find, and the bruised reed he will not break. 
Ungrateful should I be, after what I have expe- 
rienced of God's goodness, were I to tempt him 
to forsake me now that my outward circum- 
stances so much conspire to render an attend- 
ance upon him easy and delightful. 

Blessed Spirit, still visit me with thy gracious 
influences ! 

Dec. 21, 1809. — I have generally returned 
from visiting professors of religion with great dis- 
satisfaction. The great Redeemer, who might 
so justly claim the chief of their thoughts, has 
bsen the only neglected topic of conversation- 



90 MEMOIRS OF 

How often have I been grieved ! how often 
attempted in vain to introduce eternal things! 
Not so this evening : I have returned home 
from Mr.'-S.'s with a heart more disposed for 
devotion, and more impressed with the love of 
God. The characters of two eminent servants 
of God, Mr. W. and Mr. Pearce, (the latter 
deceased,) were subjects of converse and de- 
lineation. How did my heart rejoice at the 
lovely accounts of Mr. W.'s family devotions 
and habitual fervent piety. O, may I remember 
the same Lord is rich unto all that call upon 
him. How great must have been his obstacles, 
and how powerful the temptation arising from 
his exalted station ! 

How inexcusable shall I be, if, amid all my 
ad vantages, I should fall short ; and so, not 
having the Spirit of Christ, be none of his. — 
Arise, my soul, call upon thy God, and seek 
the choicest blessings of his grace. 

Dec. 22, 1809.— For the last three years 
(since we left town) I have almost entirely 
neglected receiving the Lord's Supper. I 
believe I have suffered much loss by it ; as 
when I did receive it I found it a very quicken- 
ing means of grace : so since I ceased to enjoy 
this Divine ordinance, I have often been over- 
whelmed with lukewarmness ; and, when some- 
times roused to greater diligence in the pursuit 
of eternal things, the obstacles have been many, 
viz. my great distance from the Lock chapel, a 
prevailing dislike to the idea of joining the 
independent meeting, from my not being de* 



MRS. COOPER. 01 

eidediy a dissenter; and, lastly, the mode of 
admission to this blessed ordinance among them 
by a Church examination. I feel, indeed, very 
thankful to God, that the way is now clear 
before me : an unexpected door is open, and I 
am once again invited to the blessed feast of 
the Saviour's love in the Methodist chapel, 
where I have received so much spiritual benefit 
without any obstacle, either from circum- 
stances or conscience ; being near my own 
house, administered in the Church of England 
mode, which I always preferred ; and my ad- 
mission to his heavenly ordinance among this 
people is from the impression of my being a 
decided character. O, may I never deceive 
myself or others, but more " perfectly love thee, 
and more worthily magnify thy holy name, O 
Lord, for ever and ever." 

How kind was the Redeemer in thus leaving 
a sensible memorial of his unbounded love. 
Remember, my soul, that this sacrament, in its 
spiritual extent, is a covenant by which Jesus 
engages to dwell in thy heart by faith ; and if it 
be properly entered into on thy part, thou dost 
dedicate thy body, soul, and spirit unto the Lord; 
firmly purposing to devote every power and 
faculty to glorify thy Redeemer so long as thou 
hast a being. 

O thou that hearest prayer, to thee I can 
appeal as to the sincerity of my desires of giving 
myself up to thee. Is it not my daily prayer to 
live by faith on my Redeemer ? Do I not ask 
with importunity for the gift of thy Spirit to 



92 MEMOIRS OF 

enable me to perform my resolutions, to over-* 
come every sin, and to seek for entire sanctifi- 
cation. When, by thy grace, I have been 
enabled to overcome outward temptations, yet 
what reason have I had to be humble for the 
corruptions of my nature ; the risings of temper, 
pride, &c, which have been naked and open to 
Him who is of purer eyes than to behold ini- 
quity ] What reason for constant humility and 
application to the blood of the covenant. 
" Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." 
O that these words may be engraven on the 
tablet of my heart : I have no time to lose ; 
the present is all I can call my own. I must 
therefore labour to enter into this rest ; and act 
constant faith on him with whom all things are 
possible, even my "present sanctiftcation. O 
may I examine myself strictly by the word of 
God, whether I be in the faith ; whether the 
works of the Spirit be manifest ; and whether 
God be gradually restoring my soul to his 
Divine image. I am not my own, but thine, 
blessed Lord. I have given myself up to thee ; 
my hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, have 
they not their source from thy word 1 The 
world is an enemy's country ; but through it I 
must journey to the heavenly city. O that I 
may keep that in sight: there will be a full 
compensation for all the thorns and briers, and 
buffetings by the way. O Lord, satisfy my 
soul with thy precious love ; and I will welcome 
adversity, crosses, pains, and disappointments. 
Give me but faith in the unseen world, and 



MRS. COOPER. 93 

I will trample the present world under my 
feet. 

Dec. 23, 1809. — I have had a most pleasing 
anticipation of the services of to-morrow, once 
again to be invited to the spiritual banquet pre- 
pared by my Saviour ; once again to have those 
precious words addressed to me, " Take, eat : 
this is my body." If faith be but in exercise, 
shall I not be strengthened to run the race to 
obtain the prize 1 Will not my heart be more 
warmed, my graces more nourished, my cor- 
ruptions more weakened, my hopes of assurance 
more heightened 1 If I do not receive these 
blessings, I must impute it to the weakness of 
my faith. But let me examine myself, whether 
my heart be fitly prepared for the reception of 
these Divine mysteries. What is my advance- 
ment in knowledge ? Has the recollection of 
the sins of my early years, of the misimprove- 
meiTc of that light inspired into my mind at an 
early period ; of my heart- wanderings from God 
after I had made an outward profession in 1803 ; 
of my careless performance of private prayer 
and devotional reading ; of my lukewarmness 
and misimprovement of the ordinances of God ? 
Have I been humbled before God, and have I 
sought forgiveness through Christ for these 
manifold transgressions 1 Have I bewailed 
these offences as committed against God's 
purity, and as the basest ingratitude ? If I have, 
can I find more humility, more watchfulness, 
more intense desires after entire conformity to 
God I Lord, I have not the evidences I desire 



94 MEMOIRS OF 

to have ; yet, blessed be thy name, I can trace 
earnest desires and endeavours after them ; 
and I daily wait at thy feet for these blessings, 
for the fulfilment of thy promises. 

" Without faith it is impossible to please God." 
Have I used the little imparted to me ? By 
contemplating the unseen world, and by a 
lively persuasion that my only trust and hope 
of present and future happiness is from the 
Redeemer's love, I have rejoiced with joy un- 
speakable ; sweet peace has shed its balmy 
influence on my heart, and I have exclaimed, 
" My beloved is mine, and I am his." How 
have I loved retirement on these occasions, and 
mused on the precious love of God to my soul ! 
Surely, Lord, it was thy Spirit working on 
my heart. How lovely was Christ ! how hate- 
ful the appearances of evil to my soul, which 
at those seasons panted after thee ! Were 
not these exercises of faith ? Lord, increase 
my faith. Help me to be watchful against the 
risings of sin, and to be importunate with thee 
for larger degrees of humility. that heavenly 
grace ! 

Jesus, my teacher, can I ever indulge high- 
mindedness, self-love, and vain conceit ? I shall 
have strangely forgotten thee as my pattern, 
who wast meek and lowly of heart, if these 
detestable evils again reign in nijy heart. 4t By 
this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 
if ye have love one to another." 

Do I love the image of Christ wherever I 
behold it reflected in any of his members 1 



MRS. COOPER. 95 

Can I esteem grace though in poverty ? Do I 
behave with Christian humility to all who love 
the Saviour, and strive to promote their interests 
as far as I have ability 1 In this I do rejoice, 
and humbly hope I may add an affirmative to 
each of these queries. Lord, increase my love 
of them and thee. 

Is my obedience to Christ constrained ; or 
does it proceed from love and entire willingness 
to be his in body, soul, and spirit? Blessed 
Saviour, can I contemplate thy life, death, and 
sufferings, and be insensible to the amazing 
sacrifice, the astonishing love which could 
induce thee to leave the realms of uncreated 
blessedness, that thy creature, man, might be 
reconciled to an offended God 1 Didst thou 
offer thyself a voluntary sacrifice for my sins, 
and can I hesitate whether I shall give up all to 
thee ? Impossible — poor, indeed, is the return 
— yet, as thou art supremely lovely in my 
esteem, I wish to make no reserve, but to 
dedicate all my powers to thee, and have all 
my desires centre in thee ; nothing but thy 
love can satisfy my soul. O be present with 
me when I bow before thy altar, and partake of 
the broken bread, emblem of that precious body 
which was broken on the cross ; and drink of 
that wine, commemorative of thy most precious 
blood, which flowed for the salvation of thy 
guilty creatures. I am very weak and helpless, 
but thou art strong and mighty. I want 
heavenly wisdom, that I may understand the 
heights and depths of redeeming love. I want 



§6 MEMOIRS OF 

to love the Lord with all my heart, with ail my 
soul, with all my strength ; and to love my 
neighbour as myself. Thou alone canst make 
me a partaker of these amazing blessings. O 
may I not ask amiss, but receive of thee grace, 
constantly to seek thy favour and live upon thy 
revealed word. 

Bee. 25, 1809.— Yesterday I heard Mr. 
Benson preach three times: it was the most 
delightful Sabbath I ever spent. His sermon 
in the morning was from John i, 12. In elu- 
cidating the beginning of that chapter, I was 
surprised and delighted with his clear views of 
the Trinity ; a subject on which, I had pre- 
viously understood, he excelled. In the first 
head of his discourse he showed what was meant 
by receiving Christ, accepting him alone as a 
teacher, trusting him as a Mediator, loving him 
as the only Redeemer, and acknowledging him 
as our Governor ; he being the author of eter- 
nal salvation, only to those who obey him. 

I was enabled, I trust, through the Spirit's 
influence, to believe my interest in him. I 
could no longer withstand ; but in my heart said, 
"My beloved is mine, and I am his." How 
sweetly did he expatiate upon the privileges of 
God's children ! How did he unfold the bless- 
ed effects of that holy relationship, and urge us 
yet to press forward and seek after an entire 
conformity to the image of God. 

In the afternoon he preached from 1 Tim. i, 
1 5 ; in the evening from 1 John iii, 8. The 
Lord's Supper was not administered till to-day 



MRS. COOPER. 97 

by Mr. Martin. Surely this is a day which I 
shall have in everlasting remembrance. I 
found the chapel to be none other than the 
house of God, and the gate of heaven ; surely 
I was enabled to feed upon Christ in my heart 
by faith, with thanksgiving. I bless and praise 
thee, my Redeemer, for thy presence manifested 
to me this day. By faith have I entered the 
manger where the blessed Jesus condescended 
to make his appearance ; doing honour to our 
nature in veiling his Godhead in our humanity. 
O, I left my burden in the manger ! my faith 
kindled at the sight ; he is my bright and morn- 
ing star ; and while he sheds the Divine ra- 
diance on my soul, I am supremely happy. 
Perhaps thou hast sent me this as a cordial ; as 
a preparative for trials : O Lord, I want a 
faith that will overcome all difficulty, all oppo- 
sition, and all discouragement. I want a faith 
operating on every power of my soul ; I want 
to be subdued entirely to thy grace, and know 
no will but thine. Lord, while I am seeking 
strength from thee, and acting faith upon thee, 
I shall not grieve thee by separating from thy 
mild and lovely government : but O, leave 
me not to myself; for, separate from thee I 
fall : separate from theel only know disquietude, 
and am left to the darkness and ignorance of 
my own mind. 

This day I have again sealed the covenant; 

I have enlisted under the banners of the cross, 

and am, no longer my own but his; bought with 

the price of the Redeemer's blood. How 

7 



98 MEMOIRS Of 

powerful are my motives for persevering! What? 
shall I forsake the fountain of living waters, the 
streams of which have gladdened my heart, and 
introduced a taste of heaven 1 Shall I ever 
again try the world — that deceiver] Shall I, 
with eternity before me ; I, who can only insure 
the present now, shall I again run the risk of 
losing my title to immortality, by indulging 
lukewarmness and indifference ; by trifling or 
misimproving the time given me for so import- 
ant a work 1 

O Lord, I beseech thee, be thou my helpeiy 
keep thy abode in my heart ; and let me expe- 
rience more and more, the love, the joy, the 
peace of believing. In proportion as I do this, 
shall I disdain the poor offerings of this vain 
world, and see the inadequacy of human know- 
ledge for immortal powers ; as also the danger, 
the misery of allowing the heart to be divided, 
of making a truce with the world, which was 
always God's enemy ; and therefore is and 
ought to be mine. " Bless the Lord, O my 
soul ; and never forget this day's benefits." 

Dec. 29, 1809. — I have, with little intermis- 
sion, enjoyed the manifestation of God's love 
in my soul the past week : in one instance I 
grieved the Spirit of God. O, what sensa- 
tions of anguish did it occasion me 1 by earnest 
prayer I was restored to peace before night. 
From this I !earn the necessity of being con- 
tinually watchful : to be overcome by sin, what 
bitterness does it occasion ? how are evidences 
clouded 1 how does the soul recoil at the idea, 



MRS. COO?£R» 99 

that the Son of God is thereby crucified afresh? 
what carefulness has it wrought in me ever 
since ; how importunate was I the following 
morning for God's grace to keep me from the 
approach of evil. In tender mercy he has heard 
my prayer : I feel convinced that sin must be a 
strange work to the believer : it is incompatible 
with the indwelling of the Spirit of God : I long 
to feel deeper the Spirit's influence : I want to 
be rilled with that holy love which shall make me 
s creasingly superior to the allurements of 
ense, which shall make my affections spiritual, 
and keep me aspiring after entire subordination 
and love to God ; so that heaven, begun below* 
may be my happy portion. O I have felt the 
joy arising from a sense of pardon ; may I never 
forfeit it by sinning against the God of all good- 
ness, who, in so much mercy, answered my 
prayers. My faith is, alas ! very weak. O 
may I more fully comprehend the large extent 
of that salvation Christ came to bestow, even a 
deliverance from the power of all sin; a vital 
and mysterious union of the soul with himself; 
that " white stone which no man knoweth save 
he that receiveth it." 

On entering into a solemn covenant with 
God at the commencement of the new year, she 
makes the following remarks and resolutions : — 

Jan. 7, 1810. — I have this day added to 
my obligations of living only and closely to 
God. I have entered into a public and solemn 



100 MEMOIRS OT 

covenant with the Father, Son, and HoiyGhosf, 
to give up my body, soul, and spirit, all I have 
and all I am, to him, as a most reasonable ser- 
vice. God is my witness, that my heart is sin- 
cere in this self-dedication ; that I choose 
Christ with his yoke, his cross and his croivn, 
in preference to the world, its wealth, its plea- 
sures, and its curse. Things temporal are but 
as a shadow ; things which are eternal are sub- 
stantial. O my God, thy eye-lids try the 
children of men ; thou hast witnessed and ra- 
tified in heaven that most solemn renunciation 
which. I have made of sin and self; I have 
given myself up to thee as thy servant, — , 
Choose thou for me my future portion ; be my 
inheritance. O blissful thought! The eternal 
God y who by a word spake all creation into 
existence, who was from everlasting to ever- 
lasting, even he whose existence is so incom- 
prehensible, has promised to take up his abode 
in the contrite heart. This is his revelation ; 
the world by wisdom knew it not : it was a 
stretch too vast for human thought, that He 
whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, 
should thus condescend to visit every heart 
that will make him room. O fill my soul with 
thy love, and heaven shall commence there. 
O that I may daily take up my cross and follow 
thee ; be under the teachings of thy Spirit ; and 
never, never grieve him, but be more and more 
assimilated to the image of God ; possessing 
that inward and outward holiness without which 
the gates of heaven will be closed to me. — 



MRS. COOPER. 101 

Hence may I learn that as the present moment 
is all I can insure, so constant and present 
living on Christ is my duty and privilege : and 
to depend on that grace which he has said shall 
be sufficient. This is living by faith ; this is 
the life I desire to live ; and if there be any 
secret sin which rises up in opposition, Holy 
Spirit, convince me of it ; and let me not rest 
satisfied, be it a right arm or a right eye, till it 
is cut off or plucked out ! — Help me diligently 
to use all the means of grace thou hast pre- 
scribed, for the utter destruction of all my cor- 
ruptions ; and to watch against all temptations, 
particularly those of 'prosperity. That is a 
hard trial to a Christian, it being but rarely his 
element in this world. — Thy holy word I take 
to be the rule of my life ; to thy yoke I submit. 
O be thou my teacher and my instructer in 
meekness and lowliness of heart ; in purity of 
intention, in habitual devotion of mind, in a holy 
superiority to the allurements of sense and the 
fascinations of pleasure ! O give me that living 
water that I may never thirst ; and let it spring 
up within me unto everlasting life ! — Amen 
and Amen. Mary Hanson. 

Jan. 11, 1810. — I have enjoyed much of 
the Divine presence this day ; my soul has been 
filled with love and peace. 

"Renounce all strength but strength Divine, 
And peace shall be for ever mine." 

By simply believing and looking unto Jesus 
are received all those Divine blessings which 



102 MEMOIRS OF 

cause the enraptured soul to say, «« My Father* 
my God, and my friend." God is indeed faith- 
ful to his promises : when I seek his face and 
his favour with sincerity, when I desire it as 
my chief good, then he, by his Spirit, manifests 
himself, gives me power over sin, and imparts 
a peace which passeth understanding. I am 
jealous of any interruption to these sublime 
emotions ; his presence who fills heaven and 
earth alone, satisfies my soul ; I desire no 
other company. This peace can only be 
maintained by conquest over sin. And O ! 
how impossible while under these sacred in- 
fluences, to be ruffled by passion, or overcome 
by pride. Clouds may succeed this sunshine. 
O my God, prepare me for thy will, for I have 
given up my own. Prepare me for temptation 
and suffering ; may I be strengthened by these 
proofs of thy paternal care, and take up my 
cross and follow thee daily. 

Jan. 22, 1810. — When the soul is impressed 
with a sense of the Divine presence and love, 
the world in vain attempts to seduce ; feeling 
its celestial origin and destination, the soul 
leaves sensible objects and soars to the pure 
fountain of life and happiness. 

my God, I acknowledge thy goodness to 
the present moment ; the last w r eek I was in 
London, a place of all others I had before found 
unfavourable for meditation ; and yet, glory to 
thy name, thou wast there present to my soul ; 
thon art 

il ln the void waste as in the city full*' 1 



5ms. cooper. 103 

I have returned to my loved closet, strengthened 
^and animated to run with vigour the race set 
before me. O thou best of beings ; one ray of 
thy benignity can impart the most solid and 
exquisite delight ; in the contemplation of thee 
how does my soul expand ! How does it long to 
possess the fruition of thy grace and glory ! It 
is then I feel fettered by mortality. O may I 
drink deeper into these holy mysteries, and feel 
more powerfully that thy Spirit is within me; 
that my life is hid with Christ in God. 

O Saviour of mankind, how inadequate is u 
life* an eternity of praise, to show forth thy love 
to my poor soul. O may my short life be a life 
of obedience ! 

Jan. 23, 1810. — It is with peculiar gratitude 
I record that the last months of the past year 
fiave been in a spiritual sense the best of my 
life ; God has been faithful to his word ; shall 
I ever forsake him and grieve his Spirit hy luke- 
warmness I Unless I persevere in fervent 'prayer \ 
in devotional retirement, and constant watchful- 
Tvess^ the ensnaring world, and my more ensnar- 
ing heart, will gain the victory ; and heaven 
and eternity will be but rarely contemplated* 
O my God, save me from this ! never can I 
know true peace independent of thee; O ena- 
ble me to prefer thee to all the world beside ; 
and to exercise a never-failing trust in thy pro- 
vidence ! O my heavenly Father ! let me 
henceforth depend supremely on thy parental 
care ; and seek no other guide than thy holy 
WQX&* May a more entire happiness in thee b@ 



104 MEMOIRS OF 

the supreme object of my hopes. Whatever 
may be the result of the year I am now enter- 
ing upon, with regard to temporal concerns, 
may my soul but enjoy the presence of God, 
and all will be well. I wish more powerful \y 
to feel the necessity of constantly seeking the 
influence of the Holy Spirit, to renovate my 
nature, to baptize me afresh; these are evidences 
of a state of acceptance with God. Christ was 
manifested to destroy sin ; and if he has been 
and is manifested to my soul, sin will be de- 
stroyed, viz. its reigning and allowed powers. 
I must be meek and lowly, humble and teach- 
able; these are lessons none caa effectually 
teach me but the Spirit, and he can ; and will, 
if I act faith on the promises, and be not satis- 
fied till they are fulfilled. 

Jan. 24, 1810. — All things are possible to 
them that believe ; even entire sanctirlcation. — 
Am I advancing in holiness ? Alas ! worldly 
thoughts occupy too large a share of every day ; 
thoughts which, if not immediately worldly, yet 
tend to no good ; vague and wandering. When 
I should be enjoying God, perhaps I am indulg- 
ing self-conceit, or supposed superiority of 
mind. " How long shall vain thoughts lodge 
within me." Cleanse thou the thoughts of my 
heart by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit ; all 
evil is first engendered in the heart ; God looks 
to the heart ; the law, the Gospel law, extends 
to the thoughts of the heart : if the fountain be 
pure the streams cannot be corrupt. May I 
keep my heart with all diligence, and be impor- 



MRS. COOPER. 105 

lunate with God to sanctify me wholly. Here 
is indeed cause for humility, but none for de- 
spair. Though my thoughts have been vain, 
blessed be God who heareth prayer, he hath 
not suffered me, through their influence, to 
commit actual and known sin. I must guard 
against judging too much of my state from 
such frames and feelings ; these are often 
affected by various physical causes ; my judg- 
ment of myself must proceed from the prevail- 
ing ^practical desires of living near to God, and 
obeying him ; and I know that I shall be happy 
in proportion as these are lively and strong; 
the Divine communication will be opened, and 
prayer be the ladder by which I shall step from 
earth to heaven. These are the blessed reali- 
ties of religion ; the more they are sought the 
more largely will they be dispensed. The 
most effectual antidote to worldly thoughts and 
vain desires is the consideration of the omni- 
presence of God. Alas ! T have thought too 
little of this, and also of the future judgment. 
For an habitual reflection on these I must daily 
petition the Father of mercies ; believing he 
will accomplish every thing asked in faith ac- 
cording to his word. 

I am sensible I do not redeem time as I 
ought to do ; my plans are too lax, too much 
under the influence of passing accidents ; in 
work I loiter, and in visiting the poor am not 
sufficiently strenuous in spiritual things, nor 
active enough in my exertions ; this, with the 
help of God, I hope to amend, and to attain to 



106 MEMOIRS OP 

greater diligence in business and fervency of 
spirit— serving the Lord. 

Hammersmith, Jan. 27, 1810. — Eternity 
alone can develope the full extent of the Re- 
deemer's love. When we there behold him in 
the splendour of his Godhead, surrounded by 
angels and archangels, and the spirits of the 
just made perfect ; when we contrast his glory 
with his humiliation, and ourselves have attain- 
ed the crown of eternal felicity ; then, with an 
emphasis Heaven alone can inspire, shall we 
exclaim, Worthy -is the Lamb ! 

Jesus, mindful of the weakness of human 
nature, though on the point of his extreme suf- 
ferings, left a sensible commemoration of his 
love, by which an appeal is made to sense and 
faith in those symbols of his death. O my soul, 
think a little of this sacrifice. Now the appli- 
cation of it will redeem thee from the power of 
death, hell, and the grave. And what return 
canst thou make 1 Nothing adequate to his gift. 
But what does he require \ " My heart." O 
may it be my delight to consecrate every 
thing to him ; and while by faith I see him 
stretched on the cross, may I powerfully feel 
the dreadful nature and tendency of sin. If I 
love him I shall consider every sin as again 
inflicting the wounds of Calvary, He died 
that the lost image of God might be restored in 
man ; that by the sanctification of the Spirit 
man might be fitted for the realms of purity. 

" As the hart panteth after the water brooks, 
&o panteth my soul after thee, O God," I am 



Mrs. cooper. 107 

transported with thy love ! Nothing but thee 
will content my soul. To partake of the pre- 
cious memorials of thy love is all my heart de- 
sires. O be present with the influence of thy 
Spirit, and let me approach thy altar with my 
faith firmly fixed on Him, who bled that I might 
never die. 

I desire to be filled with love, and lie pros- 
trate in the dust at the consideration of my 
own unworthiness. 

I want my repentance deepened, my faith 
confirmed, my love inflamed. Thou only art 
sufficient for these things. 

Feb. 20, 1810. — I was both encouraged and 
instructed by a sermon Mr. Martin preached 
last evening from Matt, ix, 29: "According 
to your faith be it unto you." 

In speaking of the nature and effects of faith, 
he made the- remark, w r hich confirmed an 
opinion I have long held, that " faith is the 
standard of our experience." The man who 
believes it to be impossible that he can have a 
knowledge of the forgiveness of sins, never 
attains it — -he cannot — because blessings are 
imparted only " according to what he believes." 
In like manner those who believe the man of 
sin can never be destroyed will never attain to 
this blessing Taith, that Divine and operative 
power, prevails with God. He must impart that 
which he has promised ; and he has promised 
all needful things. Only believe, know, and live 
up to the privileges of the Gospel, and what a 
glorious prospect opens upon the Christian \ 



108 MEMOIRS OF 

May I but exercise more and more this Di- 
vine principle ! Lord, increase my faith ; and 
may an eye steadily fixed on thy power, bring 
down upon my soul thy promised blessings. 

This day (Feb. 20,) I attended a Methodist 
class meeting for the first time ; and was much 
pleased with the earnestness and simplicity of 
the people. Their several accounts of God's 
dealings with their souls were plain and Scrip- 
tural ; and I do think those meetings exceed- 
ingly well calculated to maintain holiness, and 
promote it in the heart. The downcast is en- 
couraged by the happy state of another soul ; 
and by the judicious advice of the leader each 
receives encouragement. 

O for simplicity of heart to receive the king- 
dom of God as a little child ! Away with cavil- 
lings and skeptical reasonings. When did these 
ever produce joy and peace in believing 1 Ex- 
perimental religion is not a subject which a 
natural man can reason upon ; it is to him fool- 
ishness ; it can only be spiritually discerned. 

may the religion I profess be a well of water 
springing up within me ! A holy principle, pro- 
ducing joy and peace ; a principle which shall 
make me soar above the world, feel the Divine 
origin of my soul, and be constantly tending 
toward the source of all true felicity. 

Feb. 27, 1810.— I find more and more that 
my happiness is inseparable from religion. If 

1 pass but a short time without thinking of God, 
and during that time am full of hilarity, and 
perhaps of thoughtlessness, how does it pierce 






MRS. COOP£R, 109 

my soul to think God was not in all my 
thoughts 1 The nearer I live to him, the more 
superior I become to the fascinations of the 
world. This is a Divine lesson : I want habit- 
ually to practise it. Reading that has no refer- 
ence to God I find no delight in. My soul 
has now an appetite for spiritual food ; it must 
have daily satisfaction in the contemplation of 
the Deity, and of his dealings in various ways 
with the souls of men. It is a pleasing evi- 
dence to my mind that my taste, pursuits, and 
sentiments, are so opposite to what they were. 
That which was formerly a task is now a de- 
light ; and that which was once my pleasure, 
and pursued with an unwarrantable avidity, 
delights me no more. The more frequent and 
serious my meditations are on eternity, the 
more powerfully am I convinced of the ration- 
ality of devoting most of my time to the study 
of spiritual subjects. Wisdom which is from 
above will survive the conflagration of the uni- 
verse ; and will attain its maturity where faith 
is lost in sight. The study of nature I much 
delight in : while it delights it edifies : it exalts 
one's conceptions of the Deity, and discovers 
to us the design and harmony of these his 
lowest works. I purpose trying again my 
favourite chemistry, and to gain some tolerable 
theoretic knowledge of it, being denied the 
practical part. Whatever tends to alienate my 
affections from God I would avoid. He is the 
Father of lights ; and if he but illuminate my 
understanding, and impart his blessed presence 



110 MEMOIRS OF 

to my soul, and give me more and deeper views 
of my own nature and need of his glorious ex- 
cellence and fulness ; I desire no more. I will 
contentedly sojourn here below, and meet all his 
dispensations with a calmness he will impart. 
Fast Day, Feb. 28, 1810. — I consider a day 
set apart for public humiliation a privilege ; 
and although there are thousands in this land 
who wholly disregard it, (and perhaps some of 
these are among the first to institute it,) yet to 
such as have spiritual discernment, who know 
and feel the heinous nature of sin, who have 
studied the histories of other countries, marked 
their rise and fall, traced the progress of that 
luxury and abandonment of public morals which 
at length brought down the just and merited 
judgment of God ; persons of this character 
justly fear for their own land, and at these sea- 
sons humble themselves not only for their own 
sins, but for those of their guilty country. — 
My private judgment is, that a fast is not pro- 
perly observed unless there be an entire, not 
partial abstinence from ordinary food. Not 
that the act, independent of the principle, will 
be regarded by God : this is fully evinced in 
Isaiah lviii. But when the body is humbled 
the soul is more alive to painful subjects, acts 
more independently of it, and faith and love are 
winged. By abstaining from customary en- 
joyments, we learn more sensibly to appreciate 
our dependence on God, and to evince gratitude 
to him for common blessings. Alas ! how 
many are deprived of these. 



MRS. COOPEK. Ill 

I have this day felt intense desires after con- 
formity to God ; to have his blessed image 
stamped on my soul, the kingdom of God 
within me ; and were my faith greater, more 
habitual, I should be much nearer the glorious 
pentecost. It has been experienced by num- 
bers ; and why should I despair 1 I find, upon 
examining my heart, a great deal of self-will, 
pride, and worldly-mindedness, unsubdued : but 
I will not rest till these enemies to my Lord are 
crucified. I have again renewed my covenant 
with God, devoting body, soul, and spirit, to his 
service ; resolving by his grace to go on from 
strength to strength, bearing my cross, suffering 
his will, till meetened for heaven. Endeavour- 
ing more habitually " to keep the end in view," 
that solemn account I must render to my God 
when earth and all therein shall be burnt up. 

If no obstacle arise, I hope to meet in Mr, 
P.'s class to-morrow evening. I need every 
help, every encouragement ; and ta unite my- 
self with the people of God will, I hope, through 
the Divine blessing, be a means of accelerating 
my progress toward heavenly enjoyment. As 
little as possible will I have to do with that 
bane of piety — lukewarm professors, worldly 
saints, 

It is now ten months since I was induced to 
hear the Methodists, and examine their princi- 
ples. My good opinion of them has increased 
in proportion to my inquiry. I have found real 
piety among them ; the true enjoyment of 
religion ; and, according to my judgment, the 



112 MEMOIRS OF 

right apprehension of God's word. When they 
speak for themselves I agree with them on 
every point. My desire is to live and die with 
them ; and, if it were God's will, never to re- 
move out of their connection. At present I can 
only partially attend the chapel. I think it the 
most apostolic Church now in existence. The 
government I much approve of ; and as to the 
local preachers my prejudices have ceased. I 
have derived more benefit from their plain ex- 
perimental sermons, than from any of merely 
school-taught divines. They are too useful to 
be rejected, too pious not to edify the humble 
followers of Jesus : I have long had the form 
of religion, but now I earnestly desire to feel 
its power ; — to delight, as far as my poor ability 
lies, to go about doing good. 

JYIarc h 19, 1810. — Sunday was the' day for 
the society to receive their tickets. With much 
fear and trembling, I stopped, and received, 
with six others, admission tickets into the Me- 
thodist society. 

It was Mr. Fish who gave her the admission 
ticket, on March 18th ; and in a day or two 
afterward Mr. Moore sent her a regular society 
ticket : on the back of which she herself has 
written, " Happy in God and in possession of 
the peace which passeth understanding." 

March 24, 1810.— Since Monday I have 
enjoyed uncommon peace of mind ; at times 
great joy in believing : not one wish have I had 



MRS. COOPER. 113 

to draw back from the society ; but many pleas- 
ing thoughts in having so decidedly entered into 
such solemn engagements to serve my God. I 
went to class, and found it very profitable ; I 
was enabled to speak with more confidence than 
I ever expected of God's goodness to my soul. 
O that it may be a means of kindling the Di- 
vine spark into a holy flame ; that ail my powers 
may burn with love to that gracious Being, who 
has so mercifully inclined his ear to me. I 
have had the past week a full conviction of 
my acceptance with God. Unspeakable privi- 
lege ! His commandments are my delight ; his 
will my happiness. O for more acquaintance 
with it. 

March 30, 1810.— For the last week I have 
found the blessedness of serving God ; of as- 
piring after more acquaintance with him as the 
God of nature, providence, and grace. I have 
had much peace ; but, how much do I find 
the means and the end connected. When I 
seek him with my whole heart, and resign my- 
self and all my concerns into his hands, his 
blessing accompanies it : the witness of the 
Spirit that I am accepted through the Beloved. 
True religion has a blessed reward connected 
with it ; and self-denial brings a present satis- 
faction. To maintain this, prayer and watch- 
fulness must be without ceasing ; and there 
must be strivings against the obtrusive infirmi- 
ties of nature, and the temptations which vary- 
ing circumstances may produce. Stated sea- 
sons of prayer and reading must be rigorously 
8 



114 MEMOIRS OF 

attended to, in spite of dulness and sloth. 
Where the warfare, if religion had always 
delight connected with its requirements ? It is 
a state of trial ; a life of faith : and to him that 
overcometh is the crown of glory promised. 

I enjoyed, exceedingly, Mr. Moore's preach- 
ing, three times on Sunday. In the afternoon 
he descanted sweetly on the love of God.- — 
" We love him, because he first loved us." 
Revelation, reason, and experience, all testify, 
that in proportion as we love him, and admire 
his excellencies, in that proportion shall we do 
his will and delight in his commandments. In 
the evening Mr. M. preached from Job xxii, 21, 
" Acquaint now thyself with him and be at 
peace." It was a most able discourse ; and he 
powerfully showed the unattainableness of peace, 
independent of an acquaintance with God : 
such a knowledge a^ rectifies the heart, and 
transforms it into his image. I found a great 
blessing in all the services. The society stop- 
ped after the evening service, and were sweetly 
exhorted to unity, steadfastness, and growing 
piety among themselves. 

On Monday I spent an hour or two with 
Mr. Moore, at Mr. B.'s ; I much enjoyed his 
conversation : he is a man of true wisdom — 
every word has weight. He cleared up some 
difficult passages of Scripture, entirely to my 
satisfaction. He has kindly invited me to go 
and see him ; and I much hope an opportunity 
will offer itself. He also promised to intro- 
duce me to that eminent saint, Lady Mary 



MRS. COOPER. 115 

Fitzgerald ; I should like indeed to draw the 
spirit of Canaan from her lips. Before we 
parted, Mr. M. prayed most affectionately for 
me. In the evening he preached from He- 
brews vi, 1. u Therefore, leaving the princi- 
ples, &c, let us go on unto perfection." A 
most delighful sermon, on that controverted 
subject. True ardent love to God and man, 
producing obedience to the Divine will, is the 
summary of the perfection he and all of them 
preach. He told me I had put the sermon into 
his head by repeating that verse in the morn- 
ing. I am thankful for it, as it tended to con- 
firm me more in that blessed doctrine. How 
increasing are my obligations to love and serve 
thee, thou Lord of heaven ! How continually 
does the manna of thy love drop around my 
tent ! Encompassed by thy mercies, O may 
every day find me pressing after more and 
deeper acquaintance with Thee, who flllest all 
in all. 

And, O may the love thou hast imparted to 
my soul break forth in acts of love and benevo- 
lence to all around me, so that the talent thou 
hast imparted may be improved, and I may 
render up my account with joy. 

April 9, 1810. — Clouds occasionally obscure 
the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness on 
my soul ; but, blessed be God, under these 
clouds my confidence in his mercy and favour 
toward me is unchanged. I do not always 
equally rejoice, but I can trust. Against cor- 
ruptions, temptations, and infirmities, I know I 



116 MEMOIRS OF 

shall have to combat : a crown of glory is worth 
every effort. I find my desires after God in* 
crease ; I want more knowledge, faith, and 
love ; nor will I rest satisfied till I am set free 
from sin. I feel jealous of every thing that 
draws my heart from this object. O God ! 
satisfy my desires. I much enjoyed the ser- 
vices of yesterday ; the preacher was Mr. 
Reece, from the East London circuit, a man of 
very lively talents, original, and awakening. 
The " burning bush," Exodus iii, was the morn- 
ing subject. He took a general and very edi- 
fying view of the Church, from that period to 
the present. A love-feast was held after the 
evening service : a more rational and Scriptural 
account of God's dealings with the souls of 
those who spoke, could not, I think, be given. 
I had much reason to rejoice with them all : God 
is with them of a truth. O, that that place may 
be filled with such humble, holy worshippers. 
I heard much to encourage me as an individual. 
Religion in this circuit, from Mr. R.'s account, 
is in a very flourishing and reviving state. 
Two hundred new members have been added 
since the last conference. 

April 23, 1810. — In being myself raised to 
newness of life, I find the most conclusive, 
satisfactory evidence I can have of Christ's 
resurrection. My desires and endeavours after 
this, blessed be God, do increase. For this, 
God endued me with a rational existence : for 
this, Christ willingly shed his precious blood. 
O glorious hope ! full of immortality. There 



MRS. COOPER* lit 

&X& seasons when I can rise above the transitory 
things of life ; and by faith pierce the veil which 
so long hid " my Lord from my eyes." I can 
now see God every where, and in every thing ; 
and at times have transporting views of his 
greatness, wisdom, and love. O why did I so 
long live at a distance from my God ; from the 
only source of rest and calm repose 1 Why 
did I ever attempt a compromise with the 
world ; his enemy ? I became untrue to my 
heavenly Spouse ; counted his service an un- 
necessary strictness. Glory be to the whole Tri- 
nity, that all have conspired to deliver me from 
this darkness ; and that every day I feel a willing 
necessity to love God, and give up all to him ; 
satisfied of his faithfulness, that if I am but true 
to the grace he imparts he will give more and 
more ; and that from being a babe, I shall be- 
come strong in Christ Jesus, being rooted and 
grounded in love. Faith is a continual act ; 
that which was imparted the last hour is not suf- 
ficient for the present : — but God is all-sufficient, 
and ail his glorious attributes unite in my behalf 
to ensure the continuance of his favour while I 
wait for him in the appointed way. " To love 
God ;" blessed privilege ! angels never knew 
such a cause ; it was left for man to attain th© 
heights and depths of redeeming love. 

I was much encouraged by a sermon of Mr. 
Moore's last evening, from Rom. vi, 4. I left 
the sanctuary rejoicing, and in my closet had 
sweet intercourse with God. While I was a 
lukewarm professor I passed on very quietly 



118 MEMOIRS OF 

without opposition : but now I find my increas- 
ing earnestness produces many remarks ; and 
if I go on to walk in -newness of life, I find mat 
not even my professing friends will be silent. 
At these things I am not affrighted ; only I 
must be very cautious not to be bufFetted for 
faults ; not to suffer spiritual duties to interfere 
with my other daily avocations. For this end, 
I must redeem my time ; and instead of rising 
at six as I do now, rise an hour earlier ; and 
particularly be diligent when at business. God 
forbid I should ever bring any just reproach on 
religion; rather may I adorn by a meek and 
lowly conversation, that Divine cause my whole 
heart is now engaged in. I have been much 
interested by reading again Paley's Natural 
Theology, and Derham's Physico-Theology. — 
This is my favourite amusement ; it leads me 
to God, and my eyes become the medium of 
instruction. 

April 28, 1810.— For the two past days I 
have enjoyed the peace which passeth under- 
standing. 

"Not a cloud did arise, 
To darken the skies, 
Or to hide for a moment my Lord from my eyes." 
The inward witness of Christianity is, to the 
believer who experiences it, an unanswerable 
proof of its divinity. While this pervades the 
soul, (and the fault is in myself if it do not al- 
ways,) how lovely are Divine requisitions ! Self- 
denial has its joys, and the cross has a sweetness 
which divests it of its name. I feel my nature so 



31RS. COOPER. 119 

renewed, so transformed from what it was, that 
while I constantly feel, " O to grace how great 
a debtor," I am constrained humbly to hope, 
and humbly believe, that God is my Father and 
views me with love. Amazing privilege ! When 
I contemplate his glories in nature, in thi3 
beauteous globe ; when my heart vibrates with 
gratitude for the love with which his Spirit has 
inspired me. O when I can call him mine, and 
know that all his glorious attributes conspire to 
ensure my confidence in him ! That all, while 
I walk in obedience to him, proclaim peace to 
my soul. 

I find the blessed effect of renewing my co- 
venant with God every morning. I can set to 
my seal that God is true : he is unchangeable ; 
and should a distance ever grow between us the 
fault will be in me. Bitter work for repentance 
indeed. Why should I injure my own peace by 
ever allowing indifference toward so glorious 
an object to obtrude on my soul. Forbid it, 
gracious God. Let the love I now feel toward 
thee every day increase. May I never be sa- 
tisfied without progress in the knowledge of 
thee. Last evening I bade farewell for a few 
weeks to my good old women ; and I found 
considerable delight in offering up prayer to 
God for them, to keep and support them till 
we meet again. I visited those on my poor 
list : I hope God has begun a good work in 
two of them ; but what a veil of ignorance is 
there to remove from the hearts of those who 
have passed forty or sixty years in ignorance of 



120 _ memoirs or 

God ; his Spirit alone can effect it I have 
read and talked to them : prayed with and for 
them. O that God may give an increase ! I 
am at times almost overwhelmed with the state 
of those who are dead in sin ; the awful preci- 
pice on which they so heedlessly stand. Fain 
would I give up myself to do all my little ability 
can, to warn and allure them to flee from the 
wrath to come* 

JYIay 13, 1810. — My going to town has been 
postponed till next week, on account of my bro- 
ther's illness. I continue to enjoy some of the 
blessed effects of religion : they are to me paths 
of pleasantness ; and whenever I grieve it is be- 
cause my heart at times is not intense upon the 
great object of having a constant communica- 
tion open between heaven and my soul. But 
I cannot rest without a large increase of my 
present attainments. I have but just passed 
the threshold of religion ; I want to advance 
till I am filled with all the fulness of God. 

In this place, on the back of her second soci- 
ety ticket, June, 1810, she writes, — " In Lon- 
don when received : my mind in a calm, settled 
frame ; — increasing desires of entire devoted- 
ness to God." 

July 8, 1810. — After having been nearly six 
weeks in London I am returned, I hope and 
believe, with new and increasing desires to love 
and serve God with all my heart and soul. 

My heart is fixed ; O God ! my heart is fixed 
to be in Christ ; to walk in him. to have the 



MRS. COOPER, 121 

indwelling of the holy Trinity. O for that mea- 
sure of this incomprehensible mystery which 
shall produce in me more ardent love, lively 
hope, and active obedience. Religion has 
heights and depths I long to experience. O for 
a soul on fire for these blessings. They are 
offered to me : I will not rest till I attain larger 
measures of them. Let me not rest satisfied 
with mere desires ; but let me by my importu- 
nity prevail. Lord, increase the measure of my 
faith ; let me feel myself nothing, and thou my 
all. 

I am increasingly sensible that religion m 
only so far a source of peace and happiness as 
it infuses itself into the mind, and becomes 
there the prevailing and active principle : indif- 
ference is a death blow to it. God wisely 
withholds his choice blessings from those who 
do not seek them with their whole hearts. Wha 
that has felt the real nature of religion in the 
soul, as a source of peace and renovation, can 
ever find the paltry enjoyments of this world 
worth seeking after ? 

The following letter shows her views of the 
religious society with whom she had lately join- c 
ed, with answers to some objections of her 
pious correspondent : — 

Lower Mali, March 30, 1810. 
My Dear Friend, — 

* * * * * * * *3r 

Your last letter, my dearest friend, so long in 
coming, marks me out rather a more controvert 



122 MEMOIRS OF 

sial course than I am disposed to take. Inde- 
pendent of the true affection we have borne 
each other, I should not particularly object to a 
paper controversy with you, as I believe you to 
be more candid and reasonable than the gene- 
rality of those who are of your sentiments. But 
we are friends, nor do either of us wish to feel 
less attachment. I believe not — but rather to 
have it on the increase. We must not close 
our eyes to the many sad examples of Chris- 
tians losing for a while their charity ; who, in- 
stead of loving their enemies, have hated the 
friends of Christ who differed from them in 
some points of doctrine. Let us avoid ap- 
proaching the rock on which many, more stable 
than ourselves, have split. That the doctrines 
of the Wesleyans are those of the Bible, I am 
more and more convinced : and after an exam- 
ination of them for twelve months, and of the 
discipline and people, I have the pleasure of 
telling you I have joined the society. To keep 
me from it I have had every earthly motive ; to 
unite me to it, every spiritual one. 

When we see each other, Mary Ann, I will, 
if you desire it, enter fully into the points 
•wherein we differ ; for your present satisfaction 
I will, however, answer your questions. Had 
you been acquainted with the sentiments of that 
great and good man, Mr. Wesley, you would 
not have asked them. You ask me, " If I place 
any dependence on my own performances, as 
being at all able to recommend me to the fa- 
vour of God I" Not in the least, — justified 



MRS. COOPER, 12& 

freely by his grace, I must come just as I am, 
poor, blind, and naked, or he will never receive 
me : — but, observe, — I believe that sanctifica- 
tion follows ; " the tree is known by its fruit." 
" If a man love me, he will keep my command- 
ments." Faith works by love ; this is the 
wedding garment. By the fruits of faith I be- 
lieve you and I shall be judged at the last day* 
Read Matthew, chap. xxv. There is no merit 
in all this. We are first justified by the right- 
eousness of another, and all the. good we do is 
owing to the influence of the Spirit freely offered 
and received, but which we might have grieved, 
and quenched, and resisted. As to your second 
question, "..Whether God can regard you with 
fatherly affection to-day, and the next cast you 
from him V } I answer, The decrees of God 
respect men as believers and unbelievers ; the 
righteous shall be saved and the wicked con- 
demned, whoever they be. These are the 
sovereign decrees : but as it respects indivi- 
duals, personally considered, there is this con- 
dition implied ; such persons must become 
righteous, continue in righteousness, (by the 
grace of God,) or if they fall from it, return 
again in order to be saved. But as God is un- 
changeable, and doth not love and again hate 
the same person while he continues in the same 
state, but as he is found doing his will or the 
contrary ; so he loves and blesses the righteous, 
and hates all workers of iniquity. Should toe 
change a thousand times from bad to good, God 
is the same in his love to us, or the contrary, as 



124 MEMOIRS GV 

we are found doing or not doing that which he 
requires of us. While we continue in the grace 
of God freely imparted, watching and praying, 
loving God with all our hearts, none shall pluck 
us out of the Redeemer's hands ; nothing shall 
separate us from his love : but if we grow care- 
less, neglectful of prayer and reading the word 
of God ; count his service weariness, and hold 
communion with the world instead of the Crea- 
tor, can you think such persons meet for the 
kingdom of heaven? These instances, my 
dearest friend, are not uncommon. I do be- 
lieve that if you and 1 have once received the 
grace of God, it is our own fault, and charge- 
able alone upon ourselves, that we ever lose it. 
God deals with us as with reasonable creatures; 
and certain conditions are prescribed to us. We 
are to ask, seek, and knock for the Holy Spirit : 
having received it, we are to watch and pray ; 
deny ourselves, abstain from all appearance of 
evil : the power is from above ; and through 
Christ we can do all these things. I have said 
three times as much as I intended ; forgive me, 
my friend. 

Through the Divine influence, I enjoy, with 
little interruption, great peace of mind, — I ne- 
ver was so truly happy. I feel that I love God, 
his ways, and his will; and my happiest mo- 
ments are employed in imploring his continual 
aid, and holding communion with him : indeed, 
my dear friend, I find the advantage of asso- 
ciating but little with that bane of piety, luke- 
warm professors. The true spirit of religion 



MIlS. COOPER. 125 

I find diffused among our society ; a noncon- 
formity to the world and a loving spirit among 
its members, helping each other in the paths of 
religion ; just what I needed to quicken my poor 
dead soul, sunk as it was in spiritual sloth, and 
destitute of that sacred peace the Spirit has 
promised to bestow. Well, dearest Mary Ann, 
do not let these sentiments and enjoyments, if 
contrary to your own, diminish the love you 
have borne me ; mine for you glows with the 
same fervour ; and I shall have just reason to 
reproach myself if I suffer the entrance of indif- 
ference. All will meet in heaven who love 
God, by whatever name they are called : the 
more we get of this Divine principle, the more 
we shall love each other. O ! how altogether 
supernatural is the life of God in the soul : how 
utterly incapable are we of ourselves to main- 
tain it one instant. As our wants are moment- 
ary, so must our supplies be. Blessed be God, 
for all this is promised ! 

My dear friend, I long to see you, and shall 
be impatient till I hear from you. 

My garden begins to demand my renewed 
labours. When will you inhale the fragrance 
of my roses, and help me to admire the kindness 
of our God in providing so much innocent plea- 
sure for the delight of the senses 1 The study 
of nature is still my favourite recreation ; but to 
increase in the love and knowledge of God al- 
most swallows up every other desire ; and no 
reading but what tends to it satisfies me. — 
Brother William and I have entered into an 



126 MEMOIRS OT 

engagement to rise at six every morning, or 
forfeit one shilling ; the fruit of our laziness to 
be put into a poor box, of which I have the dis- 
posal. 

Adieu, my dear friend ; be assured you are 
very near the heart of 

Your most affectionate 

Mary — . 

June 14, 1S10. 

My Dear Mary Ann, — I believe I never 
before this time have had to plead an excuse for 
silence or neglect; nor, truly, have I ever been 
so little mistress of my own time as during the 
last two months : this alone is my apology. 

And now, my dear friend, I have to answer 
your two kind letters — When shall we meet ? 
such frequent disappointment will make me re- 
luctant again to indulge the anticipation of so 
pleasing an event. In the midst of your many 
sorrows, cleave closely to your heavenly Fa- 
ther, who will sustain you if you roll vour burden 
upon him. I know of no source of comfort but 
religion ; and all it affords is yours, if you will 
but by faith make it so. To those who love 
and fear God afflictions are blessings ; I be- 
lieve they are sent in mercy to all. How does 
the chastening hand of God tend to produce 
self-examination, and a thirsting after happiness 
which outlives the mutability of earthly things ! 
it is then we feel the world to be vain, and total- 
ly incapable to afford a resting place for the 
mind. 



MRS. COOPER. 127 

My dearest friend, let neither of us be satis- 
fied without making continual advances in the 
Divine life ; let us not rest till we have the con- 
stant inhabitation of the holy Trinity in our 
souls : you know this is promised to all that 
love Christ and keep his words : for this I feel 
athirst. What then is all the tribulation of the 
world if Divine peace have taken possession of 
our minds. The world is such a vapour ; a 
bubble ! the props of our earthly dependence 
are so frequently taken from us, and so justly 
too, (that we may onJy lean upon Omnipotency,) 
that present things are hardly worth a serious 
thought. 

I often think the whole of religion is com- 
prised in the word love ; the only taste we can 
have of heaven below is when our hearts are 
filled with this Divine principle. God is love, 
heaven is love : may our desires and concep- 
tions of this be enlarged! 

During my visit in London, I enjoyed 
many religious advantages ; there I have be- 
come acquainted with some charming and ex- 
emplary women in our society. Indeed, there 
is that uncommon primitive union among them, 
that to know one is, if you please, to know all : 
true Christian friendship is in delightful exer- 
cise. The uncommon activity which these -sis- 
ters of mine manifest in their daily walk to do 
good both to the souls and bodies of their needy 
fellow creatures will, I hope, prove a stimulant 
to me to go and do likewise. Our blessed 
Lord sets us an example that we should follow 



128 memoirs op 

his steps. Yours in the truest bonds of Chris* 
lian friendship, Mary — . 

DIARY. 

Juk} 23, 1810. — To live under the Divine 
influence, to be casting every care upon my 
almighty Guardian, to trust him in every diffi- 
culty, is happiness, is safety. To record all his 
goodness would require the burning love of a 
seraph ; for his love is manifested every hour 
of my life: and that I feel no more of intensity 
of affection in return, is my grief. 

Divine Spirit! fill me with love, empty me 
of self; bring every power, every faculty into 
subjection to thy will ; and the glory and praise 
shall be ascribed to thee for ever. 

I have made a fresh surrender of myself to 
thee this day, O God. I am not my own but 
thine ! and I desire to act and live as becomes 
one who is a temple of the living God ; to be 
ever mindful that thou seest me ; to watch the 
motives of my conduct, and not to rest satisfied 
without having my very thoughts and intentions 
brought into subjection to the will of Christ. 

Hammersmith, July 30, 1810, 
My Dearest Friend, — My days of quiet- 
ness and seclusion seem over. Since my sis- 
ter's marriage I have neither been, nor am 
likely to be, the same settled, contemplative 
being I once was. How is this 1 say you. My 
friends in London and elsewhere seem to think 
they have now some claim upon my company ; 



MRS. COOPER. 129 

so that, as often as I can be spared, their en- 
treaties lay me under a sort of obligation to 
visit them : hence much of my time will be oc- 
cupied. When at home my sphere of occupa- 
tion is much enlarged, owing to many new en- 
gagements of a charitable sort which I have felt 
it my duty to undertake and prosecute. Love 
to my fellow creatures makes this a pleasing 
employ, and supersedes w 7 hat I formerly pur- 
sued with much intensity, viz. reading and scrib- 
bling. Indeed, when I do read I find it neces- 
sary, and most pleasing to my taste, to read on 
those subjects that are stamped with immor- 
tality : the world appears to me such a bubble, 
and its pursuits such a vain chimera, that my 
whole soul presses forward to a more intimate 
acquaintance with that immortality for which it 
is destined ; with that wisdom which will know 
no end ; and that love winch will glow for ever. 

But however, my dear Mary Ann, no engage- 
ments, no new connections, will ever diminish 
that true regard I feel for you. Our corres- 
pondence will, I hope, be maintained to our 
mutual profit ; and our prayers for each other 
be often offered up. 

Could I but have you for my companion, my 
incentive to all that is good, how much would 
my happiness be increased ! Indeed I now 
find the time tediously long since we met ; and 
as to an interview the approaching autumn, I 
dare not be sanguine. Come, if you can ; but 
pray write frequently, and let not absence in any 
degree lessen our true regard for each other : 
9 



130 MEMOIRS OF 

why should it, my beloved friend ? Hare we nof 
religion to cement the bond of our friendship ? 
and have we not an immortality to perfect and 
perpetuate it ] What a stimulant is here, " In 
death not to be divided !" 

We only live when we live to God. This is 
life eternal ; and if we have the beginnings of it 
here we shall be prepared to stand firm against 
the shocks of time : nothing shall separate us 
from the love of God. When we look at this 
world, this fleeting scene, mark its changes, and 
feel in our inmost soul its vicissitudes — -how 
needful, how glorious is this antidote ! Let us,, 
my dear friend, be making continual advances 
in a deep acquaintance with ourselves and 
our blessed Redeemer ; be growing in that hu- 
mility which shall make us feel ourselves as* 
nothing, and Christ -as our all. Our only safety 
consists in a permanent sense of our own weak- 
ness, and of all our strength being derived from 
Him who is alone the author and finisher of oui? 
faith. 

I have not time to add more, having a great 
deal to do in a little time. We think of going 
to Bath in October. Adieu, my dearest friend. 

Believe me most affectionately and unaltera- 
bly yours, Mary . 

DIARY, 

Aug. 24, 1810. — I went to London the 
latter end of the first week of the Methodists' 
conference ; it continued a fortnight after ; my 
privileges were very great* not only in constant 



MRS. COOPER. 131 

opportunities of hearing the preaching, but in 
having social intercourse with many of the most 
eminent preachers for talents and piety. The- 
work is spreading gloriously ; the spirit of hear- 
ing was greater than was ever before known in 
London ; three times there was preaching on 
the outside of the City-Road chapel, numbers 
not being able to procure a standing within, 
the chapel. 

I find these means instrumental in stirring 
me up to seek the Lord fully. Many blessed 
instances do I know and see of individuals who 
began their Christian course early in life, and 
through grace have been enabled to persevere 
and grow in the knowledge and love of God. — 
When I consider religion as the means of re- 
storing the lost image of God to the soul of 
man, bringing the powers and faculties thereof 
to a Divine obedience"; regulating the affections, 
exalting the motives, purifying the acts — herein 
I behold means adapted to the end : the impart- 
ing of true happiness to the subject of this grace. 
It is the. beginning of heaven. Glory be to 
God ! all this the Saviour of sinners died to 
procure. It is his will that, justified freely by 
his death, we should be sanctified in body, soul, 
and spirit, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, 
the Comforter, " the gift of the Father," which 
he promised should abundantly descend after 
his resurrection. 

How manifestly then is religion a progress, 
a race, a warfare ! repentance is not the work 
of a day ; every failure on our pari demands it: 



132 MEMOIRS OF 

watchfulness is the perpetual duty of the Chris- 
tian that he sin not in his heart against the great 
God. The inquiry at the close of every day 
should be, how far we have advanced in con- 
formity to the Divine will, and whether a prin- 
ciple of love to the Saviour is the actuating 
motive of our obedience ? 

A remark of Mr. B.'s I wish ever to remem- 
ber and enforce on others : "Never to be satisfied 
with your religion till it makes you happy." — 
Daily to walk with God. How earnestly do I 
wish it. I am determined in the Divine strength 
to press forward with more earnestness, to 
keep within the veil, as a friend urged me to do; 
to have more and more of the mind that was in 
Christ Jesus ; looking to him for the supply of 
all my need. 

Aug. 27, 1810.— If ever I felt an ardent 
hunger and thirst after righteousness, it has 
been the past day. Last night I felt powerfully 
convinced that my love to the Redeemer had 
been too cold ; that he and the salvation he pro- 
cured were by far too little the object of my 
faith. I earnestly prayed that my whole de- 
pendence might be on him. This morning I 
felt renewed desires after this faith ; my whole 
soul was engaged ; and to be filled with his 
righteousness, to have truth in my inward parts, 
to be saved from all sin ; how did I thirst for 
this ! how did I importune the Father of mer- 
cies ! and O ! how intrusive seemed every ob- 
ject which at all diverted my soul from these 
meditations. I hit the sacred fire of Divine 



MRS. COOPER. 133 

bve ; all worldly talk and desires were intrusive 
on the calm of my soul, and the aspiration of 
my desires. The sermon this evening just fell 
in with the train of my thoughts this day on 
purity of heart. Who shall circumscribe the 
Holy One ? He who touches the heart by his 
Spirit may so touch it as to extirpate sin, and 
save with this full salvation. I do believe this. 
O may I never cease to pray for it ; but under 
the influence of power as boundless as his love, 
believe and become a partaker of the Divine 
nature. 

Aug. 29, 1810. Yesterday my father 

kindly took me in his chaise to London, to see 
and bid farewell to dear Mr. and Mrs. Moore, 
who purpose leaving it for Bath on Monday next. 
The ministrations of that good man were so 
much blessed to me that I should ever think it 
a privilege to love and pray for him. 

In the afternoon I spent a few hours at Dr. 
Adam Clarke's, who kindly interested me with 
a sight of some of his superb eastern manu- 
scripts ; the splendour of some of the paintings 
of Persian poems and a Koran far exceed, for 
life and beauty, any thing I ever beheld. Eng- 
lish productions never so much delighted me. 
In one of these MSS. the sun is represented 
shining in gold, with astonishing effect. The 
doctor has a superb and most extensive collec- 
tion of books. He afterward took me into 
his palace, the library ; which is almost a muse- 
um, and contains a large collection of eastern 
curiosities, two very fine mosaic pictures, &c^ 



134 MEMOIRS OF 

&c. He has in his possession one of the first 
translations of the Old and New Testaments in 
English, written about 1370 ; he showed me 
also the first edition of the Greek Testament, 
in the fifth volume of the Complutensian Poly- 
glott. His copy of this rare polyglott seems to 
have come out of the royal library at Madrid ; 
it is in high preservation, and has the Spanish 
arms on the back and sides of each volume. 

How inexhaustible are these amusements. 
Which are rational and consonant with religion ! 
what fields of science to explore which raise the 
mind to wonder and adoration of the Supreme 
Being ! How charming is Divine philosophy ! 
X»ord, enlighten my understanding ; let my 
views of thee be enlarged, and my desires in- 
crease to know thee and Jesus Christ whom 
thou hast sent ; that my soul, restored to thy 
Divine image, may have here a commencement 
of that bliss which will be perfected in the re- 
gions of endless light and felicity ! Amen. 

Sept. 16, 1810.— This is the twenty-fourth 
return of my natal day: and O that I could ex- 
press half that I feel of the goodness of that 
Being who gave, and has preserved my exist- 
ence amid such countless mercies : all the 
return I can make is to give myself up wholly 
to him, which I desire this day to do more than 
I have ever done before. His law do I love; 
his commandments are my delight, and I de- 
sire to have no will but his. Accept the poor 
return, Lord ; and make my heart thy con- 
stant abode. I -can truly and thankfully ac- 



sirs, cooper. 135 

imolvledge that the last year has been the best 
; and happiest of my life. With but little inter- 
ruption I have enjoyed a sense of God's favour ; 
and have found an increasing portion of faith 
and love : a greater deadness to the world ; 
and a desire to live only to the glory of that 
Saviour who has called me from darkness to 
light : and while I feel the thirst which I now 
do after all the mind that was in Christ, I am 
certain the Holy Spirit will shed abroad the 
love in my heart by which I shall be made to 
delight in his ways. Lord, give me watchful- 
ness and faith to look within the veil, that the 
blessed inheritance reserved for those that love 
thee, may be discernible to my spiritual sight; 
-and may I never consider I have attained what 
is to be attained till the very thoughts of my 
heart are renewed. During the last year I 
iiave. united myself, I trust with an indissoluble 
union, to those whom some call the Wesleyan 
Methodists, As it regards myself, I bless God 
ihey were ever brought to this village. That 
they preach the pure Gospel my examination of 
the subject leads me to decide. Happiness is 
4he result of the religion they enforce : I have 
found it so ; and with this people I desire to 
live and die. My improvement during the 
past year has not, indeed, been in proportion to 
my opportunities. I have much cause for 
shame. My affections have too often been 
worldly, and my vigilance slack in the pursuit 
#£ heaven. O may the coming year find me 
wore zealously alive* more importunately anx- 



136 MEMOIRS OF 

ious in Divine things ; and if it should please 
the Lord to remove me to a sphere wherein 
different relative duties may be called into 
exercise, O that his Spirit may illuminate and 
guide, so that my light may shine; and glory 
to God in the highest be the effect of my walk 
and conversation. God will direct my paths : 
and he will not suffer me to err while I look to 
him and depend upon him for direction. My 
mind has, on this subject of promise, been 
unusually drawn out ; I have felt confident of 
parental guidance and of my safety beneath 
heavenly direction. This day, Lord, I 
record the goodness of thy name, the faithful- 
ness of thy word. O receive me to the arms 
of thy protection : guide me by thy Spirit ; and 
as I this day solemnly dedicate myself to Thee, 
take Jesus for my Redeemer, and the Holy 
Spirit for my Sanctifier ; so I desire to make 
no reserve, but devote body, soul, and spirit, all 
that I have and all that I am, to hat gracious 
Being who made me, and has the first and only 
claim. Amen. 

About this time she received another society 
ticket, on the back of which she has written, 
"Panting after a full conformity to the image of 
God ; fully convinced, that to love him with all 
my heart is my privilege, and shall be my 
prayer.- ? 

Toward the latter end of the year 1810, a 
most important era in Miss Hanson's life corn- 



MRS. COOPER. 137 

menced ; her acquaintance with Mr. John 
Cooper, of London, which afterward terminated 
in marriage. Every step she took in this most 
momentous business was marked with prudent 
caution, extreme self-diffidence, and the hum- 
blest dependence on the direction of God. In- 
deed the whole of this connection was conducted 
in such a way as was highly creditable to her 
good sense and piety, and affords an admirable 
model of great Christian simplicity, and highly 
spiritualized affection, on a subject in which 
these are rarely consulted, and in which, above 
all others, they are most necessary. She thus 
introduces the subject in her Diary ; her letters 
to Mr. C. will explain the rest : — 

Sept. 20, 1810. — A circumstance within the 
last fortnight has taken place, with which, it is 
probable, my future happiness is essentially 
connected. Of this I am fully satisfied that it 
has not been of my own seeking, or foreseeing ; 
that I have thus far acted in the way the cir- 
cumstances demanded ; and whatever may be 
the result, all within me now says, " Thy will 
be done." 

I never felt such entire submission : I am 
impressed with awe ; and hardly know how to 
hope. That God in his providence shall be 
my guide, so far as he manifests his ways to 
me, I feel determined. At present it appears 
to bear the impression of his hand : my soul 



138 MEMOIRS OF . 

has been earnestly and almost incessantly en« 
gaged in importuning his direction. I will 
follow where he leads. I am not my own: 
into a solemn covenant I have entered with him 
to devote body and soul to his service. To 
live to his glory is the prevailing desire of my 
heart ; how impious then to doubt his care, or 
question his love ! 

To Mr. John Cooper. 

H , September 15, 1310. 

As your favour of the 10th instant was not 
received until yesterday afternoon, it will suffi- 
ciently account for any apparent want of atten- 
tion to your request. 

To our knowledge of each other, so recent 
and so unexpected, we may perhaps have to 
acknowledge the interference of a Divine Pro- 
vidence ; at the same time it demands the 
greater deliberation; and any thing like haste, 
or a speedy decision in an affair so momentous 
in its consequences, I feel satisfied you will not 
require. I will, however, assure you that no 
prior engagement will prevent me from giving 
your proposal that consideration which I con- 
ceive it merits. As I trust we are both inte- 
rested in the love and care of a heavenly Parent, 
I can cheerfully refer the event to his will, satis- 
fied that he will accomplish his own purposes 
of benignity toward us. If a more intimate 
acquaintance would promote his glory and our 
izm welfare, we should do injustice to our* 



MRS. COOPER. 139 

selves , and to his revealed will, to doubt his 
especial guidance, 

In religious sentiments I dare believe we 
should cordially unite ; and this to me would 
be a most essential requisite ; but in a relation 
so near, so indissoluble, how necessary also is 
a union of disposition,, taste, and pursuits. 
How far we thus assimilate, personal acquaint- 
ance alone can evince. I rejoice that you fill 
a situation, at once so honourable and useful, 
in the Methodist society. May grace and wis- 
dom abundantly descend upon you. I rejoice 
also to acknowledge that although I do not owe 
my first serious convictions to the society to 
which I now belong, yet to them I am indebt- 
ed, under the Divine blessing, for all the real 
happiness I have derived from a celestial 
source. I find that an increasing devotion of 
all I have and am to God is my ardent desire. 
If it should please God more nearly to unite 
our interests, I trust this would be the one 
grand and mutual aim of our lives. 

I have a dear friend and father (as he kindly 
designated himself) in Dr. H. From a very 
warm solicitude that he expressed for my future 
welfare, particularly on the subject which has 
produced our correspondence, I gave him a 
promise that I would avail myself of his parental 
kindness in consulting him on any such occa- 
sion. I feel in such an instance his friendship 
a privilege, and I hope, through him, my father 
will be made acquainted with your proposal. 
How that will be received I am at a loss to de« 



140 MEMOIRS OF 

termine. It will be considered a robbery ; and in 
that investigation which a kind parent naturally 
makes for a child whose comfortable settlement is 
the main object of his solicitude, you may find 
him a little particular. The motive, to a conside- 
rate mind, will screen him from undue censure. 
It is probable, sir, that in the course of the 
following week I shall either see or hear from 
Dr. H. Let us not, however, slacken in our 
diligence to implore Divine direction that the 
path may be made plain, that the will of the 
Lord may be known, by the concurrence of my 
parents. I feel such a tenderness for them — 
such a desire to honour them in the choice I 
make in life, that you must expect me to be very 
implicit in yielding to reasonable objections. 
Believe me, with sentiments of Christian regard, 
Mary Hanson. 

To JVLr. John Cooper. 

London, October 2, 1S10. 
My brother J. yesterday made my father 
acquainted with your proposal, who was much 
pleased at my having previously consulted Dr. 
H. He seemed disposed to wait on your 
friend Mr. B., which it is probable he will do 
to-day. I feel satisfied that my dear father will 
give it a suitable investigation, as he received 
the first information without those prejudices 
which would have warped his judgment; and 
therefore I must refer you to the latter part of 
my first letter, as to the line of conduct I 
should think it my indispensable duty to pursue. 



MRS. COOPER. 141 

You must not expect to see me before I 
leave town. Farewell ! May the God of peace 
dwell with vou. 

M. H. 

To the same. 

October 6, 1S10. 

I find my father has been to Mr. B., but as 
to the result of the interview I am quite ignorant. 
It is probable Mr. 1>. can inform you. Allow 
me, however, to request you to defer your in- 
tended visit here, till it shall receive the sanction 
of an authority I am bound to respect and obey. 

We have committed ourselves to the guidance 
of unerring wisdom. It becomes us, therefore, 
to rest satisfied until the manifestations of his 
will are made known. In this instance, I have 
the fullest confidence that whatever is the result 
our good will be the consequence. 

M. II. 

To the same. 

October 20, 1810. 

You so earnestly entreated me to write a 
iew lines ere the close of this week, that 
although I have nothing new to communicate, 
I should not feel myself quite justified in not 
complying with your request. 

I think, my dear friend, thus far, we have 
reason to believe, God has heard and is answer- 
ing our prayers. 

I can most cheerfully refer the future to Him 
who has thus far been mindful of our requests ; 



142 MEMOIRS OF 

and as our mutual aim has been the glory of 
God, and the best interest of our souls, we may 
still repose under the shadow of that omnipo- 
tence promised and exerted in our behalf. 
How incalculably great are our privileges ; our 
supports and hopes are not derived from beings 
frail and mutable as ourselves. The Great 
Eternal is engaged on our behalf: he is the 
source and centre of all that soothes the life of 
man. O that we may drink deeper into this 
knowledge, till we are filled with all the fulness 
of God. Religion is the only basis of true 
friendship ; the only ground for its perpetuity. 
What a desolate thing is the human heart 
without it ! My confidence in you, and in our 
acquaintance, has arisen from the assurance I 
have that the Spirit of God has made your heart 
his dwelling place ; that your best affections 
are devoted to the supreme good ; and that if 
a nearer acquaintance should be allotted us, 
your attainments in religion would be as means 
of grace to me. 

As a direct communication is opened be- 
tween you and my dear father, I wish you now 
to follow the dictates of your own judgment, 
without consulting me. 

I have just finished the first part of Dr. 
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible ; never did 
I receive so much pleasure and profit from the 
perusal of any thing. I intend giving it, with 
the marginal references, a second perusal. 

Our journey to Bath is still quite unsettled. 
We are disappointed of a letter to-day which 



MRS. COOPER. 14S 

we expected to decide it. Should I go with 
my mother my father will be prevented accom- 
panying us ; so I shall leave you to obtain his 
consent to our correspondence while absent. 
If I go I shall expect to be the bearer of a letter 
from you to our dear friend Mr. M. The 
thoughts of once again seeing him and hearing 
him preach, exceedingly reconcile me to the 
idea of leaving home. 

M. H* 

DIARY. 

Oct. 23, 1810. — Still, through the grace of 
God, I am enabled to hold on my way rejoicing. 
I find religion, inconceiveably beyond my for- 
mer apprehensions, a source and spring of 
true happiness and peace ; to which I was a 
stranger till enabled to give my heart up to God* 
and make his service the prevailing disposition 
and delight of my heart. I am sensible that 
every good desire and action is alone from the 
assistance of the Spirit of God. I find that I 
have no strength independent of hirn ; but 
glory be to his name, he is at all times accessi- 
ble, and always ivaiting to be gracious. To 
press forward is my earnest desire ; to know 
nothing but "'Jesus Christ and him crucified," 
to devote every power and faculty of my soul 
to his service is the ardent wish of my heart. 
What a burning zeal have I sometimes found 
to be more actively employed in the service of 
my Lord. I have often besought of God to 
make me an instrument of more extensive use- 



144 MEMOIRS OF 

fulness ; as inactivity in a Christian seems to 
me so inexcusable. 

In the course of His unerring providence who 
is the overseer of our ways, a path I little ex- 
pected seems now opening. That acquaint- 
ance which I have before hinted at, which I 
from the first believed from God, and which I 
most entirely referred to God, appears now to 
be most evidently the work of his providence. 
The mark I earnestly besought him to give, it 
now benrsj the concurrence of my dear pa- 
rents. No difficulties seem now to oppose 
our friendship. Mr. C. is to be introduced 
into our family on Saturday. 

In no occurrence of my life have I ever so 
decidedly traced the hand of God as in this. — 
This newly acquired friend seems to possess all 
I could desire in the relation likely to result 
from our friendship. Settled and solid piety, 
accompanied by that activity in the cause of re- 
ligion I so much value ; a well cultivated and 
good understanding, an amiable and affectionate 
disposition, with the same religious sentiments, 
and connected with the same society as myself. 
As it is from God, I trust it will most eminently 
lead to him, and that a union formed on such a 
basis will be of especial use to us and to the 
Church of Christ. My ability and sufficiency 
are alone of God. 

Oct 30, 1810.— Friday is the day appointed for 
our going to Bath, a visit which I trust will pro- 
duce much profit as well as pleasure ; transient is 
that which only delights the eye and the imagina- 



MRS. COOPER* 145 

lion ; but when connected with this* the soul 
receives supplies of Divine nourishment's made 
happy by the immediate communication of the 
Fountain of all good ; then peace maintains its 
position, and every thing conspires to make the 
mind joyful. Watchfulness and prayer, how 
perpetually needful ! For the few last days I 
have been much harassed and very dull and 
insensible to Divine things. Last night I earn- 
estly prayed for the restoration of my peace ; 
and in some measure found it. I dread luke- 
warrnness, and never can know peace out of 
God, who has visited me with so many commu- 
nications of his love. Lord, I would make a 
fresh surrender : let nothing ever interpose 
between thee and my soul ! I do love thee 
above all the world ! I anticipate much delight 
from the company of dear Mr. and Mrs. Moore 
at Bath ; his preaching has often been much 
blessed to me, and his private communications 
always enlivening. I hope, through the blessing 
of God, to acquire fresh strength and vigour in 
the best things, at Bath. I may now maintain 
an authorized correspondence with my friend 
Mr. C. It has all the earthly approbation I 
could desire. The heavenly benediction will, 
I trust, eminently rest upon our acquaintance ; 
without this, we shall in vain look for comfort. 
If God design me to fulfil this important relation 
I feel assured of his heavenly assistance. In 
knowing whence every blessing flows, I can 
confidently look up to him who will supply my 
10 



146 MEMOIRS OF 

every need. May I have faith to receive, and 
God will bestow ! 

Nov. 2, 1810. — Accompanied by my mother 
and brothers John and William I left Hammer- 
smith for Bath ; where, after a tolerably plea- 
sant journey, we arrived about ten at night. 

To Mr. John Cooper. 

Bath, November 5, 1S10. 
It is well that so pleasing a resource is left 
to separated friends, and that one's thoughts can 
be communicated with as much vigour and 
effect at the distance of a hundred miles as of 
four ; and this surely may be the case when 
unreserve and sincerity are allowed to exercise 
themselves. This then, my dear friend, shall 
be the character of our correspondence : dis- 
tance now forbidding personal intercourse, we 
will endeavour to make ourselves known to each 
other by mental discoveries, and try to ascertain 
how far " thought meeting thought,'' the result of 
preconceived opinions gives rational ground of 
hope, that in the closest union no future sources 
of disquietude will arise from a native dissimi- 
larity. My views on this subject are by no means 
common-place ; they are the result of a little 
thought and much observation. With the or- 
dinary lot of connubial happiness, I confess to 
you I should not only be dissatisfied but unhap- 
py. From one expression of yours I am led to 
believe that if this be a romantic notion you are 
also under its influence. Perhaps as believers 
in the doctrine of Christian perfection, we may 



MRS. COOPER. 147 

be forgiven for placing our standard somewhat 
higher than the generality of Christians ; and if 
in this respect we do but think and aim alike, I 
feel convinced that our object will be attained. 
Excuse the length of the preface. 

Through the good providence of God we had 
a safe and pleasant journey ; we reached Bath 
a very little after ten o'clock. On the following 
day we suited ourselves with the apartments 
which we now occupy, commanding the most 
interesting and beautiful view of this city ; hav- 
ing in both front and back rooms an uninter- 
rupted view of the most luxuriant hills, possess- 
ing the character of Bath, with houses one 
above another. To the south we view Beacher 
clifT with its hanging woods, the highest hill I 
have seen. The Avon, just beneath our win- 
dow, meanders beautifully along. We are, in- 
deed, thoroughly pleased with the situation. Of 
Bath I can say but little, being much indisposed 
on Saturday, I am, however, prepared to be- 
lieve it the most interesting city by far I have 
ever seen. As you have been here I shall not 
occupy my paper with any farther remarks upon 
it ; the tendency of our correspondence being 
of a more important nature. 

I found the services of yesterday peculiarly 
profitable ; heard Mr. J. preach morning and 
evening, and perhaps this enjoyment was in- 
creased by the persuasion I had that you, my 
dear friend, had implored this blessing at the 
hand of God for me. What a privilege to have 
access to the throne of God ! There, all we 



148 MEMOIRS OF 

need has been purchased for us by our adorable 
Redeemer ! My mother and I called on Mrs, 
M. in the afternoon. Mr. M. was in Frome ; 
not expected in Bath till Wednesday. I left 
your letter in the hands of Mrs. M., who I am 
happy to say is amazingly recovered. They 
knew through Mrs. J. we were expected at Bath, 
and I suppose have had a hint of something 
else. Not a word, however, passed yesterday. 
I hope to see Mr. M. next Wednesday morn- 
ing, and to hear him preach next Sunday. You 
must expect me to be considerably influenced 
by his verdict, pro or con, as I apprehend the 
nature of your intimacy with him has led to a 
developement of your whole soul. The assur- 
ances you have given me, my dear friend, cer- 
tainly have weight because they are iiom a 
Christian ; were they from a doubtful character 
in this respect I should regard them as the ne- 
cessary consequence of an intimacy with such 
an object in view. They always precede mar- 
riage ; but, alas ! how seldom are they fulfilled 
after. Although a former connection may in 
some respects be objectionable to my mind ; — 
yet, as in the instance of yourself, it has tended 
to try you, and to call forth domestic qualities ; 
and as they were of a nature truly worthy of 
regard ; though, alas ! for your happiness, but of 
short continuance ; yet that little narrative has 
done more for you in my estimation than all I 
have seen and all I have heard beside. Should 
I ever have an equal place in your affections, 
and finfl you in all respects what I wish, I will 



MRS. COOPER, 149 

answer for myself that you and the domestic 
circle round which I shall revolve will be all the 
world to me ; and all my endeavours will be to 
promote and maintain that happiness which, by 
a proper discharge of relative and religious du- 
ties, is attainable in this life. It gives me much 
pleasure that you have derived from the same 
source that I have profitable pleasure in read- 
ing. How many hours of rational amusement 
have I enjoyed in this way : how often, when I 
knew nothing of the peace resulting from ac- 
ceptance with God, have the little domestic 
vexations I have met with been borne with pa- 
tience, from the idea that in my own closet 
with my books I should forget my troubles ; 
and by the relations of days of yore find my 
heart and imagination fully occupied. How 
often did I regard with pity those who knew no 
happiness independent of company and the ball- 
room. These were days of enjoyment : but, 
O my dear friend, of how low and changeable a 
nature compared with that peace which passeth 
all understanding ! which, through the infinite 
love and grace of God, I have since possessed. 

My brother requests me to walk with him* 
Adieu. I am going to ascend the heights to 
the Crescents. 

Farewell : may the God of love and peace 
dwell with you. How is your health? Do 
you in general enjoy good health 1 My mother 
thinks you look so delicate, that I have had 
fears. Believe me your very affectionate 
friend, Mary — -. 



150 MEMOIRS OF 

To JVLr. John Cooper. 

Bath, November 12, 1810. 

Indeed, my dear friend, I anticipated and re- 
ceived more pleasure from your last kind letter, 
than from any of the preceding ones. The 
contents were altogether congenial to my mind. 
My hopes and expectations are now alive to the 
solid happiness reserved for us, in the prosecu- 
tion of that acquaintance, so obviously from the 
Father of all good. The conviction of this in- 
creases upon me by reflection and prayer. I 
feel, indeed, no doubt that if it shall please God 
to unite us in nearer bonds, it will be the means 
of more closely uniting each of us to himself. — 
It is true, indeed, my deficiencies are very great, 
far greater than you apprehend ; but, " help 
being laid upon One that is mighty ," I feel full 
of blissful confidence, that the race I have be- 
gun I shall be enabled to run with increasing 
vigour, with the expectation of comprehending 
more and more, by happy experience, the 
heights and depths of love Divine. 

I regard true religion as the only source of 
happiness ; and that is an effect produced in 
proportion to the entire surrender we make of 
our hearts, and the indwelling of the Holy Spi- 
rit. O my dear friend, may this be our daily 
aim and walk through life. Our blessed Sa- 
viour, the standard of our imitation, who had the 
happiness of his creatures only in view, pre- 
scribed nothing but what here has that tendency. 
If we live under the influence of these hopes 



MRS. COOPER. 151 

and endeavours, I fear not the fulfilment of my 
most sanguine expectations. Love to God is 
the source of every Christian excellence ; and 
surely it was in the exercise of providential love* 
that we were brought to the communication of 
this oneness of opinion. 

By this time I apprehend Mr. M. has an- 
swered your letter v the contents of which I find 
imparted no ordinary pleasure. For on the re- 
ceipt of it, he with his amiable wife knelt down 
and implored the blessing of Heaven upon us. 
How much I felt indebted for this pious in- 
stance of their regard ! Yesterday, under Mr. 
M.'s preaching, I found a renewal of that bene- 
fit I invariably experienced at H. from his mi- 
nistry. The blessed man was quite alive ; and 
every sentence reached my heart. In the morn- 
ing he preached from Kab. hi, 2 : "O Lord, 
revive thy work !" In the evening from John 
iii, 7 : " Marvel not that I said unto you, Ye 
must be born again. 5 ' I hope long and ever to 
feel the effects of these sermons ; my strength 
is renewed ; and to be more filled with the Holy 
Spirit is at once my privilege and prayer. The 
chapel was crowded in the evening. Bath is the 
very place for Mr. M.'s abilities to be appreci- 
ated ; and I feel certain his labours will be much 
blessed. I expect him to call here this morning. 

What privileges, my dear friend, we have as 
Methodists ! I find this more and more. — 
Christian fellowship being such a powerful 
means of abstracting us from the world, and 
making us alive to the collective as well as indi- 



152 MEMOIRS OF 

vidual privileges of Christians. May every 
talent intrusted to us be improved a hundred 
fold ! 

I have just been interrupted by a visit from 
Mr. J. ; as I was alone, I had the pleasure of a 
serious and interesting conversation with him. 

And so you are going into Lancashire 1 Be 
careful of yourself, and do not trifle with colds : 
I hope you will have returned before we shall 

get back to H . Write punctually, and do 

not let me suffer from your journeying. Our 
continuance here is quite uncertain. I hardly 
think it will be in the whole a month. 

We went to Bristol and Clifton last Thurs- 
day, and had quite a wet day for our excursion ; 
nevertheless, I went to see the beautiful St. 
Vincent's Rocks. Such a lovely spot ! We 
must visit it together. 

My brother J. has this morning left us. He 
asked me if I had any message ; it is probable 
he will call on you. You are received quite 
with cordiality by my brothers ; and I believe 
by all. 

May this friendship, which is thus marked by 
the approbation of earth and Heaven, be a con- 
tinual source of thankfulness to each of us. — - 
May our Christian walk be marked with all that 
can adorn our profession : and Dr. Clarke's 
description* of the original institution, and its 
everlasting design, be realized to us. 

What more shall I say, than express my hope 
and confidence that God will enable us to be: 
* Commentary on Genesis, chap a ii. 



MRS. COOPER. 153 

what we desire. That we may live to his glo- 
ry, and be continually pressing after all that 
holiness, which shall sanctify us throughout, in 
body, soul, and spirit. Animating hopes ! To 
this God of love I commend you, and remain 
yours, most affectionately, 

M. H. 

To JWr. John Cooper. 

Bath, November 19, 1S10. 
As correspondents, my dear friend, we seem, 
to approve of each other very well. I trust the 
same coincidents will manifest themselves in 
all we do ; and that a growing similarity will be 
the result of a daily Christian walk. You have 
had painful experience of the uncertain tenure 
of earthly blessings ;* it is a lesson we shall all 
learn : " The spider's most attenuated thread is 
cord, is cable to man's slender tie on earthly 
bliss." Unless things of heavenly substance en- 
gross our best affections, our Father, who is in 
heaven, will remind us that he is a jealous God. 
Thus, watching unto prayer must be our con- 
stant bent of mind — O how needful ! Our dear 
friend, Mr. M., on Saturday when I saw him 
desired me to present his love to you, and say» 
" You are now in danger, that you have need of 
much watchfulness." Can you interpret his 
meaning 1 he addressed me to the same effect. 
Our intimacy began well : for my own part, I 

* Alluding to Mr. C.'s former wife, a very amiable 
and excellent woman, who died about twelve months 
after their marriage* 



154 MEMOIRS OF 

never in any instance felt such an entire surren- 
der of my own will, nor so ardent a desire that 
God only might be glorified : and when at one 
time a dark cloud hovered over the opening 
prospect, which I could not at all penetrate, a 
sense of the omnipotence of that Being who 
was my hope and confidence dissipated all 
doubt from my mind. I knew he would ac- 
complish his own designs. O the happiness of 
having the almighty Jehovah for our friend ! 
-May our love and confidence in him increase. 

My sister expresses herself as quite delighted 
with your dear little girl. I am rejoiced to find 
that there is already the bud of so much excel- 
lence, " a quickness of apprehension, united to 
great sweetness of temper." I am pleased 
that you are to have the credit of rationality , in 
what is already conspicuous in your instruction 
of the little dear. I much desire to see her. 

M. H, 

To JWr. John Cooper, 

Bath, November 26, 1810. 
This will, I hope, find you safely restored to 
the enjoyment of your own fireside ; where a 
new ebenezer of praise has no doubt been 
erected to that God, who, by the guardian in 
fluence of his angels, may have defended you 
from all evil. To owe protection to his love, is 
to have every blessing blessed. You ask for a 
long letter : I will endeavour not to disappoint 
you, but as I am much indisposed, having a 
sore throat, and rather an increasing degree of 






MRS. COOPER. 155 

fever, you will excuse me if necessity should 
compel me to abandon my present intention ; 
indeed, there is so intimate a union between 
our corporeal and mental powers, that that 
which gives us sensibility of suffering suffers 
also. Should I be a little gloomy, you will 
know to what cause to impute it. It is a very 
stormy day too ; perhaps the vapours which 
must condense the atmosphere, may unite their 
influence to cloud my mind ; and yet peace, the 
kind boon of Heaven, does pervade my spirit. 
It is often assailed, sometimes powerfully, 
by outward causes ; but the prospect of un- 
clouded bliss, like the sun, as yet beneath the 
horizon, cheers me in this world. 

* * * ****** 

I cannot suppose that any thing can give me 
real pleasure that is not connected with reli- 
gion. My understanding (as well as affections) 
is so powerfully convinced of its testimony, that 
I cleave to it as to a strong hold, and firmly 
believe our happiness keeps pace with our 
holiness. At times I feel a little overpowered 
with the responsibility which attaches itself to 
my future character. You, my dear friend, 
have expectations too highly raised ; I must 
check you, as I would some others of my too 
partial friends. 

I was much affected in hearing of the ap- 
proaching dissolution of your pious friend. 
Though, indeed, the deathbed of such a man 
cannot produce unmixed sorrow ; angels wait- 



156 MEMOIRS Of 

ing to conduct the happy spirit to the sight of 
those joys which so long had been beheld as 
through a glass darkly. I have ceased to enter- 
tain curious speculations on the nature and em- 
ployments of the heavenly world. My own 
experience tells me, that to be for ever free 
from sin, to know no interruption to a perfect 
love to God, will be heaven to me : I can an- 
ticipate no higher. I enjoyed a sweet foretaste 
of this one morning last week, and sunk deeper 
into my own nothingness, and had fuller views 
of Christian holiness than I ever had before. — 
O my dear friend, " my willing soul would stay 
in such a frame as this :" but, alas ! its continu- 
ance is too short ; and I think my volatile na- 
ture will ever oppose itself to those permanent 
enjoyments : yet even a glimpse should be 
matter of earnest thankfulness. It proves such 
a cordial ; and even the recollection of it ex- 
cites the hope that these " angel visits, few an 
far between," may hereafter prove more fr< 
quent and more permanent. 

I heard Mr. M. preach twice yesterday. I: 
the morning I think he made one of the greates 
and deepest sermons I ever heard, from John vii 
9, 10, relative to the intercession of Christ, and 
the salvation of those whom the Father gave 
him. You know this is one of the stronges 
holds of our opponents, the Calvinists. Ou 
view of the subject he admirably, and, I think, 
unanswerably defended. It was a sermon I 
should much like to possess ; and I intend to 
ask the favour of Mr. M. to write me a general 
view of that part of the subject. 



: 



MRS. COOPER. 157 

' The sun now shines ; and I feel better than I 
did when I began, less inconvenience from my 
throat. I however fear this letter will not much 
interest you ; but you know when a correspond- 
ence is undertaken, it is for " better and for 
worse ;" and while it is a faithful portraiture of 
the mind, the effects of clouds, as well as sun- 
shine, will be visible. This being a state of 
trial, our happiness here will have an alloy : 
what need of Christian armour, if we were 
never to be assailed by foes ? While we fol- 
low on to know the Lord, victory is certain, and 
heaven our sure reversion. May we thus 
prove excitements to each other, and " square 
our useful lives below, by reason and by grace." 
* # ~ * # * * * * 

M. H. 
To JVfr. John Cooper. 

Bath, December 3, 1S10. 
I am willing to believe my dear friend, that 
the correspondence our separation has occa- 
sioned has not only been a pleasure, but has 
tended to enlarge our knowledge of each other ; 
and to lay open future probable sources of 
reciprocal happiness, should it please God so to 
perpetuate our friendship. " True love strikes 
root in reason ;" and certainly where the under- 
standing is suffered to lie dormant, and the 
affections alone act and are supreme, such an 
attachment would be exposed to ten thousand 
variations ; and at length, perhaps, to an almost 
total extinction. May I not venture to believe 



158 MEMOIRS OF 

that an assimilation in understanding, senti- 






ut 
is 
ill 
e. 



the love of God will prove an indissoluble bond 
to our union. Earthly relations, of course, 
cease in heaven ; but I believe the most puri- 
fied affections will subsist among all the re- 
deemed and that " we shall kaow even as we 
are known." This state, my dear friend, is but 
the infancy of our being. In reference to thi 
idea, let us live and act and anticipate full 
draughts of that bliss, which here we only taste. 

Should I ever fall short of the expectations 
my letters have raised in your mind, I will give 
you leave to advert to them, and reprove me 
thus ; neither will I ever rebel against your 
lordly prerogative, while you render the yoke 
easy by the fulfilment of your part of the story. 

The apostolic exhortations will furnish us 
with our orders , which are never give^ without 
arms. 

Need I tell you that I consider our corres- 
pondence of the most confidential nature ; its 
avowed object has excited a freedom in my re- 
marks, which the sincerity we both professed to 
adopt on the outset has justified. As it is now 
drawing to a close, I wish you to give a direct 
answer to both my last letters, and tell me ho- 
nestly whether you have an unabated and entire 
confidence that I shall possess as large a share 
of your affections as your much loved Marga- 
ret ? This is indispensable to your happiness 
and mine ; and perhaps it shall be the last time 
I will ever teaze you with the interrogation. — 



MRS. COOPER. 159 

Much less would have been said on the subject, 
had I not a fixed aversion to the idea of plung- 
ing myself into the varied and multiplied cares 
and anxieties of a married life, without the most 
positive expectation of possessing the entire 
confidence and affections of him to whom I 
should so awfully entrust my future all. Indeed 
I have frequent misgivings of heart, and I am 

so locally attached to H , that I wonder I 

ever listened to a proposal which could per- 
sonally alienate me from it. If it be from God 
it shall be for good : — and this is my confidence. 

It remains for you, my dear friend, to close 
our Bath correspondence. I shall expect a 
long letter in gratitude for receiving two. 

I have enjoyed Bath upon the whole very 
much ; and shall feel considerable regret in 
leaving some kind friends. I trust I have been 
making some advances in the Divine life. I 
certainly feel more of my deficiencies, and more 
Divine power has attended my meditations on 
the Scriptures ; but O how many unprofitable 
hours have I spent ? indeed there is so much 
idleness consequent on visiting these places 
that my conscience has often reproached me 
for it. 

Last Friday I took a most delightful walk 
on the banks of a canal which runs parallel with 
the river Avon. The uncommon beauty of the 
scenery, heightened by the loveliness of the 
day, urged me on to a considerable extent. I 
had so much exceeded my ordinary bounds of 
a walk, that when I reached home I was com-* 






160 memoirs or 

pletely exhausted with fatigue. I walked fast 
without any intermission for three hours, for 
which temerity I was close prisoner on Satur- 
day, almost lamed with fatigue. My object 
was to reach a place I had heard of, where the 
canal crosses the river Avon, rather a curiosity, 
which I did not accomplish. I have had some 
sweet solitary walks. I hope you are an ad- 
mirer of the works of nature ; and do not de- 
spise occasional enthusiastic raptures in the 
contemplation of his works in the least of which 
the Deity is so conspicuous : I am sure you do 
not. You enjoy poetry too. I have so long 
received pleasure from the resources of my 
own mind, and am so entirely out of debt to 
external sources of amusement, that I am 
almost miserly in cherishing the channels 
through which these silent unobserved enjoy- 
ments have flowed. 

How sublimity is heightened, my dear friend, 
when we can " lift to heaven an unpresumptu- 
ous eye, and smiling, say, JWy Father made 
them all." As a friend said to me the other 
day, we can never truly bless God for our cre- 
ation, till we can for our redemption. Enabled 
to do this, my dear friend, our lives should be a 
tribute of praise. 

M. H. 

The following letter written to her father, in 
reference to this subject, is at once a fine proof 
of her good sense, deep piety, and profound 
filial respect and gratitude : — 



MRS. COOPER* 161 

Bath, December 3, 1810. 
My very Dear Father, — Your truly kind 
and invaluable letter of yesterday demands an 
early acknowledgment. I cannot express the 
half of what I felt on reading its interesting 
contents. My sensations were those of min- 
gled love and gratitude for so unexpected a proof 
of your affection. Had you in any of your pre- 
vious letters expressed a wish to hear from me, 
I should certainly have complied with it : 
though I could not but feel a degree of back- 
wardness in adverting to a subject you have so 
kindly noticed. 

* * * # .* * * * 
Home now begins to wear a desirable aspect ; 
where, upon the whole, my dear mother would ra- 
ther embrace you than subject you to the fatigue 
of so long a journey for the pleasure of spend- 
ing only a few days here. On Saturday morning, 
if it please God, we hope to see you : and in a 
few weeks I trust it will be apparent that my 
mothers health has been obviously benefited 
by the change of air and waters, the good 
effects of which, I believe, are seldom immedi- 
ately discernible. 

I am much concerned to find, my dearest 
father, that you continue so very lame, but 
truly thankful that your now almost necessary 
confinement at St. James's has bee*i so much 
mitigated by the solid satisfaction arising from 
an experimental acquaintance with Divine truth 
—It is consolatory to believe we can be en- 
11 



162 MEMOIRS OF 

gaged in no conflict, however severe, in which 
our spiritual weapons are not fully adequate to 
the conquest. It is when we trust to our own 
strength that the world obtains the victory. — I 
most sincerely wish that circumstances may 
allow of your losing no opportunity of hearing 
dear Mr. Fry, for whose ministerial labours, 
we as a family have so much cause of thank- 
fulness* 

I never had the pleasure of receiving but one 
letter from my dear father, beside the one I am 
now acknowledging ; and I feel emotions of 
gratitude to God in contrasting the period in 
which that was written with the present. At 
that time you, with parental tenderness, were 
warning me against that gayety of disposition 
I then manifested, and those antichristian pur- 
suits after which I was so eager. 

To Divine grace alone am I indebted for 
that entire alteration of hopes and aims, and 
for that blessed foretaste I often enjoy of the 
rest which in heaven remains for me. May 
you and I, my dearest father, feel more ard 
more that our Redeemer has purchased for is 
sanctification as well as justification ; and that 
the implantation of a new nature makes his ser- 
vice our delight and perfect freedom. 

I hope I feel truly grateful for that kind 
interest you manifest in regard to my future 
prospects, arising from a connection which, if 
sealed with a solemn perpetuity, will remove 
me from under the eye and roof of my dear 
parents, of whose kind and fostering care I 



. 



MRS. COOPER. 163 

shall have so many pleasing recollections.— 
My dear father, I feel the importance of the 
step ; but I feel also a hope bordering on con- 
fidence, that that gracious Being who overrules 
all events, and has expressly promised to guide 
those who trust in him, has in this instance 
manifested his will. I believe too there is 
every rational ground to expect domestic com- 
fort. 



New relations will, I hope, never alienate 
my affections from old ones. For your many 
prayers I feel inexpressibly grateful ; and have 
long acted on the idea that the best return I 
can make is by constantly remembering my 
father at the same throne of mercy. 

Believe me, my very dear father, your most 
dutiful and affectionate daughter, 

Mary Hanson. 

DIARY. 

Dec. 7, 1810. — Indeed I shall have much 
reason to recall to mind my visit to Bath ; it 
has been upon the whole very profitable to me. 
Added to the benefit I have found in Divine 
ordinances, the letters of my dear friend have 
much tended to excite me to seek with him a 
full salvation. 

Our acquaintance is from God : I feel it so 
more and more : with this impression can I, in 
a spiritual sense, expect too much or feel too 
thankful ] Emotions of regret I shall feel in 



164 MEMOIRS OF 

leaving Bath. In departing from a place where 
pleasure has been received, the uncertainty of 
ever more beholding it casts a mournful emo- 
tion over the soul. A stray tear will flow down 
the cheek ; this I have always found ; and 
there are sensibilities of the soul which I would 
not forego for all the stoical firmness in the 
world. The passions, when they are refined 
and sanctified by true religion, are sources of 
pure delight. 

Christmas day, 1810. — The return of this 
day interests me much in a two-fold point of 
view : — First, As the season in which the most 
extraordinary event which ever took place in 
this world is celebrated. The nativity of the 
God-man is the birth of every hope fallen 
nature could have of a restoration of the lost 
favour and image of the Diety. A contrivance 
of satisfying the Divine justice which could 
alone originate in the Divine mind. By it we 
have entrance into the holy of holies ; and the 
gates of heaven are thrown open to receive all 
who in truth receive this incarnate Saviour into 
their hearts. 

As a second motive ought I not to hold the 
return of this day in solemn and grateful re- 
membrance? on the past one, 1809, having 
received a sweet manifestation of my interest in 
the favour of God : when all my doubts and 
fears were dissolved, and my soul swallowed up 
in devotion and aspirations after God. Blessed 
be God, the witness he gave still remains ; and 
on this day I gratefully record that my desires 



MRS. COOPER. 165 

are greater than ever to be altogether the Lord's. 
'Tis true, alas ! my attainments bear no propor- 
tion to my privileges ; and but for the infinite 
merits of that atonement Jesus made, I should 
have just cause to fear rejection from the favour 
of God. But he knows my frame, and remem- 
bers I am but dust ; and he accepts my sincere 
desires to be his, and my ardent longings after 
full conformity to the Divine image ; for this 
end I surrender myself this day ; and feeling my 
utter dependence on Divine aid and my native 
helplessness, "lookingunto Jesus," ItrustI shall 
become more than conquerer over all my foes. 
The last night was so exceedingly tempestuous 
that I could not sle^ep : but never did I find wake- 
fulness so profitable ; never were my nocturnal 
meditations so sweet. While the raging tempest 
made me to hear and feel the Deity abroad, 
and contemplate his judgments which are now 
so evidently manifested in the earth, I could 
not help contrasting the thunder of his power 
with the Babe in Bethlehem. It was by the 
Word all things were made: — " and the Word 
became flesh, and dwelt among us."_ He made 
the world by his word, and man by his breath : 
yet to redeem him he must leave the heaven of 
heavens, assume our nature, and in that nature 
bleed ! thence I took a survey of the world ; of 
the negligence and general indifference to this 
stupendous fact : men closing their eyes to this 
light, and wantonly choosing that place where 
hope never comes. That God should in 
indignation pour out the vials of his wrath 



166 MEMOIRS OF 

against the children of men who do despite to 
the precious blood of Christ I marvelled not % 
but rather felt amazed at the longsuffering of 
God. Those who will not listen to the still 
small voice of his mercy may expect to hear 
and bear the thunder of his wrath. 

But when I looked on myself, and found in 
my heart an humble hope that I was accepted 
through this incarnation ; when I could appeal 
to the Searcher of hearts, and say, " Thou 
knowest all things, thou knowest that I love 
thee ;" O then, how little to be dreaded is all 
that this earth can do ? what is its power con- 
trasted with His " who taketh up the isles as a 
little thing," and has engaged himself in my 
behalf? 

Jan. 22, 1811. — Toward the close of last 
month I went to London ; and only returned 
here about a week ago. In no other place do 
I ever feel at home to write ; so that I have by 
my absence missed recording some sweet and 
profitable seasons I enjoyed when in town. 
At the commencement of this new year I joy- 
fully renewed my covenant with God ; and 
was earnest in supplicating his grace to enable 
me to walk more closely, more usefully, this 
year, (should I be spared,) than the last. It 
seems, indeed, probable that a more enlarged 
sphere of activity will ere long be opened for 
me. That gracious Being whose I am, will I 
doubt not afford me grace to do his will. At 
the renewal of the covenant I was at Queen- 
street chapel ; at this most solemn and obliga- 



MRS. COOPER. 187 

tory ordinance I found the presence of God. 
The Lord's Supper was after administered, of 
which I and my dearest friend at once partook. 
To be loved by one so decidedly the Lord's is 
an unlooked-for providence ; and I have fre- 
quently, on a review of the various circumstan- 
ces leading to our present interesting intimacy, 
been constrained to acknowledge and bless the 
hand of God ; at times, when I have hesitated 
to do this, I believe the instigation was from 
Satan : for I have invariably found that when 
my mind has been most occupied with religion, 
I have loved and regarded my friend the 
most ; and have anticipated with delight the 
probability of our being helps to each other in 
the way to heaven. Every succeeding inter- 
view increases my value for his character ; and 
my conviction that He who numbers the hairs of 
our heads appointed us for each other. 

I enjoyed last Sabbath exceedingly; Mr. 
Griffith preached, and it was much blessed to 
my soul : I went in expectation that it would 
be so. 

April 20, 1811. — Having spent the chief 
part of the winter in town, at my sister's, in con- 
sequence of her confinement, 1 have been taken 
off my usual and settled plan of occasionally 
writing the state of my mind. I somewhat 
regret it, having found it a very profitable and 
interesting record of my experience. Ten 
thousand blessings that I have in this instance 
received, have^ I trust, made an indelible record 
in my memory. 



168 MEMOIRS OF 

A present God, a satisfying portion, and 
desires more ardent to be altogether the Lord's, 
to be growing up into his likeness, these have, 
indeed, been prominent desires and endeavours, 
though occasionally clouded over with unbelief, 
and obstructed by lukewarmness. " He knows 
my infirmities, and remembers I am but dust." 
I have, at times, had delightful anticipations of 
heaven ; of enjoying there a full draught of 
that living water of which I have just had a 
taste ; and of having a growing love and know- 
ledge throughout eternity. 

I have found particular benefit from a prac- 
tice suggested by my dear Mr. C. of reading 
the same chapter with him daily. We began 
(Jan. 26,) the Gospel of St. Matthew ; and 
selected one verse in writing for our day's me- 
ditation. This I have found very profitable, 
though too often careless in the observance of 
it. In reading this blessed book on my knees, 
and with a simple desire of having my eyes 
opened by the Spirit of God, to discover and 
impress its important contents on my heart, I 
have found it sweeter to my taste than honey, 
and could say with David, " In thy word do I 
delight." I find need of watching against for- 
mality in it, and suffering it to degenerate into 
mere custom. 

In this and our mutual engagement, at ten 
o'clock, to pray for each other, the Lord has 
often blessed our souls. O for more importu? 
nity, for more wrestling for " all the mind that 
was in Christ Jesus." 



MRS. COOPER. 169 

The Lord's Supper was much blessed to me 
last Sabbath. I found at the altar the spirit of 
self-dedication and of importunity, for poverty 
of spirit, and purity of heart. I bless God 
that I always feel restless and uneasy when my 
soul is not alive to him. 

To-morrow we expect Dr. Clarke here ; and 
I look forward with hope of receiving much 
blessing; his preaching having, invariably, 
been made so very useful to me. 

April 25, 1811. — I was much profited by Dr. 
Clarke's sermon last Sunday morning, from 1 
John v, 11, 12. He dwelt much on the life of 
God in the soul, through the influence of Jesus 
Christ ; whose immediate energy, he said, is as 
necessary to support the spiritual life, as the 
power of God, in whom -we live, move, and 
have our being*, is to the support and continu- 
ance of our natural life. That which, before the 
fall, constituted the happiness of Adam — union 
with God — is as essential now as ever, and must 
be restored by the life of Christ within us. As 
the body cannot exist without the soul, neither 
can the life Divine, without Christ. It is he 
who gives the principle of life, and maintains 
it : and his influence is as necessary to main- 
tain the spiritual life of the soul, as it is to pre- 
serve the being and harmony of the creation. 
He spoke much on the witness of the Spirit, as 
essential to the peace and stability of the Chris- 
tian ; and as the only means of precluding tor- 
menting doubts and fears. 

The doctor met the society after evening 



1¥0 MEMOIRS OF 

preaching, in which he said many very forcible 
and persuasive things ; and from which I de- 
rived fresh vigour, and renewed determination 
to redouble my diligence in the heavenly race. 
How deeply do I feel myself indebted to God 
for so much blessing my union with the Me- 
thodists. I have enjoyed this day much love 
to God, and delight in contemplating his name 
and nature, and in anticipating that ** glory 
which no period knows." I have read my 
title clear, and long for that day when this mor- 
tal shall have put on immortality ; and when 
my soul shall " soar without bound, without 
consuming glow." 

O blessed Fountain of love ! fill my heart 
more with this Divine principle ; sink me lower 
in the depths of humility, and let me sit at the 
feet of Jesus and learn of him. Enlarge my 
soul that I may better contemplate thy glory ; 
and may I prove myself thy child, by bearing a 
resemblance to thee, my heavenly Father ! 

Jlpril 30, 181 l.-r-"Thou knowest all things, 
thou knowest that 1 love thee," and that I desire, 
above every thing this world affords, to have 
the constant testimony that I walk so as toplease 
thee. 

To have all my thoughts, words, and works, 
sanctified to thee ; to feel the living principle 
of faith, and an habitual converse with spiritual 
and unseen things, divesting my mind of earthly 
prejudices, and mere earthly affections, how 
great a blessing ! O thou, who hast inspired 
these desires, and excited these ardent longings 



MRS. COOPER. 111 

for the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit; 
answer me according to thy word : thy word, 
which is truth itself; immutable as thy glory ; 
eternal as thy duration. O, that on it my soul 
may repose. 

When thy love refreshes my spirit, and my 
eyes overflow with tears of joy in the conviction 
that thou art mine, how poor and how contempt- 
ible are all earthborn joys ! When the soul 
feels its freedom, and exults in its immoitality, 
the world and Satan tempt in vain. I feel in- 
expressibly thankful to that Being, who is the 
author of all the happiness I enjoy : that he 
continues to manifest himself in such lovely, 
endearing characters to my soul. And never 
did I feel more than I do at this time, the im- 
portance and beauty of religion. 

I have no enjoyment in whatever tends to 
divert my mind from these contemplations. 
When I read, it must be on subjects connected 
with what I most love — God, in nature, provi- 
dence, and grace; an endless scope for reading 
and meditation! Yes, I have seen a glimpse 
of his glory, whom my soul loveth. For that 
purity of heart which God only can bestow, 
shall be my never-ceasing prayer, 

" O could I lose myself in thee, 
Thy depth of mercy prove, 
Thou vast unfathomable sea 
Of inexhausted love," 

JMay 1, 1811.— The more I know of my 
own heart, the more deeply I feel the want of 
humility. When this heavenly grace has taken 



172 MEMOIRS OF 

deep root in my soul, the fruits of the Spirit 
will grow in larger abundance upon it. It is 
for want of this, that when my opinions are 
controverted, and my judgment called in ques- 
tion, that I feel an inward impatience, though 
spared the outward expression of it : and as I 
have to do with God, who searches the heart, 
so I would be as viligant over the inward mo- 
tions of corruption, as of my exterior deport- 
ment. I want inward holiness— 

" A heart in every thought renewM, 
A copy, Lord, of thine." 

My religion must be visible by its effects, not 
by parade and show, but by humility of soul, 
meekness of spirit, purity of intention. There- 
fore religion must be with me the work of every 
moment. 

This, indeed, will tend rather to capacitate 
me for the proper fulfilment of all my lawful 
avocations ; not, as some falsely say, unfit the 
mind for the duties of life. God demands a 
reasonable service; and while he calls to dili- 
gence in business, he will bestow grace to pro- 
duce fervency of spirit. O God, raise me from 
the ruins of the fall ! I only live when I live to 
thy glory. T only am happy when I can call 
thee mine, and exult in the prospect of enjoying 
thee for ever. I have ever found thee faithful; 
I never sought thee with my whole heart, with- 
out being answered as by fire. O let that fire 
descend and consume all my sins, that those 
enemies of my Lord may have no place in me. 
I cannot question that Jove which moved thee 



MRS* COOPER. 173 

to leave the abodes of glory, and to veil thyself 
in suffering humanity for me ; nor that Omnipo- 
tence which said, " Let there be light, and there 
was light." Who then shall limit the Holy One 
of Israel 1 With thee, all things are possible ; 
even the full restoration of the lost image of 
God in my soul. 

May 4, 1811. — I have lately been led to 
reflect much on the advantage of knoivledge in 
religion: by this, I mean not only an acquaint- 
ance with its doctrines, but a well digested view 
of its gradual developement, from the first 
promise given to Adam, till Jesus Christ ; made 
plainer and plainer as it flowed down the river 
of time : with a comparison of this religion 
with all the rest that have ever appeared, and 
swayed the hearts and judgments of men. In 
addition to this, when we regard its adaptation 
to supply our wants, to impart food to that im- 
mortal principle within us; ever craving for 
what the earth cannot give, religion liberally 
opens her treasures, and gives the expectant 
soul the hope and promise, that even here she 
may be "filled with all the fulness of God." 

I must differ from an opinion I have fre- 
quently heard expressed, and once adopted, 
that the poor (that is, the ignorant,) enjoy reli- 
gion most. That many of them do enjoy it in 
a blessed degree, my own observations confirm ; 
and, that the peculiar circumstances of many 
call more for the simple exercise of faith, for 
the supply of their daily wants, I also believe ; 
and many happy proofs are recorded in their 



174 MEMOIRS OF 

experience of God's fulfilling his promises in 
this respect. But the believer, with an improved 
understanding and a correct judgment, who, at 
the same time, receives the kingdom of God as 
a little child, with all that simplicity so essen- 
tially connected with genuine conversion; while 
he maintains this childlike spirit, and has a 
growing enlargement of mind, consequent upon 
his frequent communion with God, and his 
nature, and his works ; this is, in my appre- 
hension, the happiest Christian; and in pro- 
portion as he regards religion as the one thing 
necessary to his happiness, and is jealous over 
every other enjoyment, in which it is not the 
principal ingredient, so will be his stability. 
And thus his advances will be marked with its 
genuine characters. 

Religion is addressed to the judgment, as 
well as to the heart ; it should be interwoven 
with all our moral perceptions; and, while it 
lays claim to the affections, it should have the 
hearty concurrence of the understanding. This 
I wish to enforce upon myself; and to look well 
how far these observations incorporate with my 
real state, and present experience. 

To a want of this I cannot but impute the 
many failures in the religious life which so 
frequently occur r of persons who, for a while, 
were warm and zealous, and bidding fair for 
usefulness, suddenly relaxing in their energy, 
and becoming ciphers, if they outwardly con- 
tinue professors in the Church of Christ. 

Those who look for eminence in any science, 



MRS. COOPER. 116 

use the means for becoming eminent; and all 
their exertions tend toward the promotion of 
their object: — so in the Christian life. To be 
what God calls us to be, we must use diligence? 
and let it be the paramount desire of our whole 
lives. 

JWay 11, 1811. — Of what importance is ex- 
perience in religion ! In every branch of science 
it is considered a necessary qualification. As 
to a physician or an artist without experience, 
the advice of the one would be received with little 
confidence, and the productions of the other 
would be regarded with suspicion. Eminence, 
the result of experience, would be expected in 
neither. 

What then is religion without it ? How can 
the promises be received or applied, if the 
affections be not in exercise ? and surely love 
to God must excite emotions, near in resem- 
blance and effect to those we feel toward a 
beloved earthly object. The mind delights to 
dwell on an image which occupies the heart. 
How solicitous to please ; — how fearful to 
offend; — how prompt to active proofs of the 
sincerity of its profession: with what impatience 
aid indignation are slanders and evil speaking 
borne toward the absent object of our affection. 

By analogy then would I try how far my love 
to the Supreme Good will bear this test. Alas! 
the proofs are faint and feeble, though sincere. 
O, for more love, is my constant prayer. Re- 
ligion, without experience, is like the body 
without the soul ; like the moon, which imparts 



1T6 memoirs or 

light* but no heat. The plants engendered by 
the solar ray, would droop and die, were they 
forsaken by its influence, and left to the cold, 
cheerless light of the pale luminary. So, were 
I to relapse into that state of mere speculative 
belief, or to the unassisted powers of my own rea- 
son, which (after having experienced something 
of the power of religion) I once fell into; so 
would those affections which now, in some 
degree, though faintly, glow with love to God, be 
frozen into indifference. "If thou withdraw, 
'tis night." 

O Sun of righteousness, cause thy rays to 
descend upon my heart, and scatter every thing 
which would oppose thy warm and invigorating 
influence ! 

Experience in another view is so important, 
it is to the heart demonstration ; and to the 
judgment it stamps divinity on the word of God. 
If the result of true faith be "joy and peace in 
believing," and my experience bears testimony 
to the validity of this, what farther proof can I 
wish of its Divine origin and tendency ? And 
surely we may rationally have this internal 
consciousness, and be as certain of it as of any 
thing that affects our external senses. When 
I am under the influence of joy, could the force 
of any argument persuade me that sorrow fills 
my heart ? O no. Religion does not eradicate, 
but it refines and exalts the passions ; and 
enlisting this noble part of our nature into its 
service, by the renewing and sanctifying influ- 
ences of the Holy Spirit, causes those affections. 



MRS. COOPER. 177 

naturally placed on forbidden and unworthy 
objects, to soar and centre in heavenly themes ; 
and gives the hope and promise that our hearts 
are so capable of a Divine renewal, as to " be 
filled with ail the fulness of God." 

Mai) 26, 1811, Sabbath Day. — I went to 
chapel this morning with the earnest desire and 
full persuasion that God would there bless me: 
my hope and expectation have not been in vain ; 
for, during Mr. Griffith's sermon, from John x\% 
26, my soul was drawn out in ardent longing 
for that glorious deliverance from all sin, which 
he so clearly showed to be the privilege of 
believers, and to be obtained only through faith 
in Christ. O, it is for this I pant, and without 
it my soul looks in vain for happiness. This 
can be found only when the Spirit takes up his 
abode in the heart. This blessing appears to 
me so fully expressed from these words of our 
Lord, " If ye keep my commandments, ye shall 
abide in my love, even as I have kept my 
Father's commandments, and abide in his love." 
Here the Son of God condescends to show the 
union to be as complete between him and his 
obedient people, as subsists between him and 
his Father. How sweet do I find that portion 
I this morning selected for meditation out of 
Romans, where Abraham's faith was counted to 
him for righteousness, " Being fully persuaded 
that what he had promised he was able also to 
perform." This was the faith acceptable to 
God. On those words of Him who spake as 
never man spake, I will now rely : " If a 
12 



178 MEMOIRS OF 

man love me he will keep my words, and my 
Father will love him; and we will come unto 
him, and make our abode with him.' 5 O glo- 
rious promise ! if, indeed, the Trinity thus 
descends into my heart, the principle of sin, 
root and branch, will be plucked up. O, come 
quickly, thou blessed Saviour: thou, who by 
the angel didst proclaim thyself as Jesus, who 
should save thy people from their sins ; and who, 
by becoming their King, and promulgating thy 
own laws, dost demand obedience on penalty 
of rejection ; thou, who by thy Spirit's influence, 
hast inspired the ardent desire I feel to be 
altogether thine ; O descend, and never let me 
breathe without thy influence; nothing less 
than a constant sense of my interest in thee 
will satisfy me. Nothing do I so ardently 
desire as a fresh restoration, not only to thy 
favour, but to thy image. 

I would this day again enter into solemn 
covenant with thee ; again surrender myself in 
body, soul, and spirit, to thy service. O give 
me but strength to fulfil all thy will; to obey 
thee in every jot and tittle of thy word ! To be 
brought into this blessed state I resign my will, 
my understanding, and affections to thee. 
Reign supreme, and " Lord of every motion 
there ;" and if ever I swerve from that narrow 
path on which I have entered, ever again com*- 
promise with the world I have renounced, let 
me feel the goadings of an accusing conscience, 
and smart beneath the terrors of thy threatening! 
Lord, thou knowest I fully desire to be thine 5 



MRS. COOPER. 179 

to adorn, by a holy life and consistent conversa- 
tion, the Gospel I profess. I feel my weakness, 
and know I have no strength independent of 
my Saviour ! and, for the heavenly wisdom 1 
need, am encouraged to ask of Him who giveth 
liberally, and upbraideth not. I want my will 
to be brought into subjection to thine ; and 
having surrendered to the great God, I ask 
thee to mould and subdue it, till every opposing 
inclination is destroyed. O, for such a view of 
thy majesty, thy purity, thy mercy, thy love, that 
I may be swallowed up in the contemplation and 
triumph of calling ihee my Father and my God. 

J\Iay 27, 1811. — Yesterday was exceedingly 
blessed to my soul. I think I hardly ever found 
such an outpouring of the Spirit under the word. 
I Was truly athirst for God ; and when good 
Mr. Griffith spake to the society alone, after 
evening service, so pathetic, so earnest was his 
address, that I shed abundance of tears. May 
that dear people attend to the things that make 
for their peace. May the work be deepened in 
their souls ! 

Let me ask, how his address operated on my 
own heart 1 I felt determined in His strength, 
who is almighty to save, to give myself more 
unreservedly up to God than ever I did ; to press 
after all the mind that was in Christ Jesus ; to 
be more watchful and more addicted to prayer. 

I especially feel the need at this time of 
watching continually. On a review of the 
past, I find that little things have often 
quenched the Divine fire of love in my soul. 



ISO MEMOIRS OF 

The indulgence of a wrong temper, or light 
conversation, or any kind of trifling. As Mr. 
G. yesterday emphatically observed, " The 
Holy Spirit is infinitely delicate ,•" how my 
experience corroborated this ! For his in- 
dwelling in the soul, and unholy propensities, 
are quite incompatible. 

Lord, my hope is in thee ; I rest now be- 
neath the shadow of thy wings ; screen me in 
the hour of temptation ; make my heart thy 
dwelling place; and let my union and com- 
munion with thee transform my nature, till the 
very thoughts of my heart are cleansed, and 
I be made fit to appear before the judgment 
seat of Christ ! 

J\lay 28, 1811. — I have this morning found 
great liberty in prayer ; and especially for tha 
deeper work of sanctification I so much need, 
and long to experience. My morning portion 
much encourages me to look for it ; " Likewise 
reckon ye yourselves dead indeed unto sin, but 
alive unto God." I only live when I live to 
thee. It is only in this ultimatum of my desires 
that I can look for happiness. Yes, I am in 
search ofhappitess ; that which is to be derived 
from keeping within the veil, and receiving 
continually borrowed rays from the uncreated 
Source of light. TVhat are the effects of the 
material sun on creation in this lovely season 1 
Its cheering influence imparts life and beauty to 
all the vegetable world. The bud swells, the 
blossom expands; the effect leads us to the cause. 

Let me apply this to the shining of the Sun 



i 



MRS. COOPER. 181 

of righteousness. While his glorious beams 
vivify my soul, it must scatter all remaining 
darkness, and cause all holy and heaven-born 
tempers to emanate. My light must shine, and 
its rays must be reflected on others. In vain are 
all pretensions to the enjoyment of God, unless 
holy fruits be the consequence. He blesses us 
thai we may be blessings ; and if the light of 
his countenance be lifted up upon us, the light 
of our good works will be manifest to others. 

O what a lovely thing is religion ! what a 
pure and never-failing spring of happiness ! 

It was a song worthy of God and of angels 
when the Deity was about to veil his glory in 
our humanity, to proclaim, " Peace on earth ; 
good will toward men." O my soul, ever be 
suspicious when thou art clouded with discon- 
tent. Be assured, that distance from God is 
the cause. He dwells with the poor and con- 
trite, to revive their hearts : all his footsteps are 
love. His name is love. " He that dwelleth 
in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him." 

June 1, 1811. — After an absence of three 
years, (supplied by a regular correspondence*) 
I have again enjoyed the company of my dear 
friend, Mary Ann ; and the friendship which 
has for four years subsisted between us "will 
receive additional strength from our recent 
interview. We find indeed but one spirit in 
the glorious pursuit of everlasting happiness ; 
and I believe are equally alive to the desire to 
press forward, and to drink deeper and deeper 
into God ! But, alas ! in many particulars I 



182 MEMOIRS OF 

find myself far below my dear friend ; and the 
few days I have enjoyed her society have tended 
much to show me the defective parts of my 
deportment. 

Night of the same day. — This evening I 
have parted from my lovely friend, after having 
enjoyed a few hours (in a sweet walk) of the 
most affectionate and friendly converse. We 
parted with our hearts more than ever knit 
together, cemented by the bonds of true reli- 
gion ; and after having, on our knees, mutually 
commended each other to God, and blessed 
him for all the happiness and profit our friend- 
ship had afforded us, we parted with the full 
assurance of meeting each other in the abodes of 
endless bliss. O ! they were sweet moments, 
when we unbosomed our souls to our heavenly 
Father ; and when my dear Mary Ann, with 
all that piety and sweet simplicity for which she 
is so conspicuous, poured out her soul in ardent 
requests for our mutual happiness. To relieve 
that sadness, which separation from one so 
truly loved has cast over my mind, I note down 
the interesting attendants of our adieu, i Can I 
forbear acknowledging to that God, from whom 
I receive every thing I enjoy, the gratitude 
iHfeel for the delights of friendship. To him I 
owe my friend. To him we both owe that 
sweet kindred flow of affection, that ardent pur- 
suit of heaven-born joys, which I trust will ever 
characterize us. 

When I take a survey of the countless mercies 
which encompass me, and find myself so dis- 






MRS. COOPER* 183 

languished by temporal and spiritual good, I 
feel my deficiency in gratitude and love to thee, 
thou Source of blessedness. 

stamp upon my soul all ihy image ; and 
let me daily feel more my obligations, and more 
fervent love to thee ! I want to live nearer to 
my God, and to enjoy all the happiness he 
so delights to bestow. The desire thou hast 
implanted, blessed God, wilt not thou accept? 
I ask not for temporal good ; but I do ask for 
a deeper acquaintance with thyself, and for 
longing desires after immortality. Is my only 
reliance on Jesus the author and finisher of 
faith ] Do I cast myself wholly upon him, 
convinced of my utter helplessness and his all- 
sufficiency I 

This is the general frame of my heart, thoug 
too often I feel a want of simplicity in casting 
myself on his merits alone. I am too apt to 
connect enjoyment with safety. When happy 
in his love my evidences are bright ; but when 
unbelief prevails then I do not sufficiently look 
to him who is still interceding on my behalf; and 
from whose love nothing can ever separate me 
but the indulgence of sin. I want an increase 
of simple faith, and of momentary dependence 
on the charity of Heaven. 

1 have too frequently omitted ejaculatory and 
private prayer : I mean mid-day engagements. 
I have too readily allowed myself in excuses 
for not rising early. 0, how long is the cata- 
logue of sins of omission I Were I to die this 
week, what have I left undone which I should 



184 MEMOIRS OF 

then wish I had performed ? Lord, give me 
wisdom to make this inquiry. 

Does my sense of gratitude bear any pro- 
portion to the benefit I have already received* 
and am yet likely to receive from that providen- 
tial intimacy subsisting between my dearest 
friend and me ? In acknowledging God as the 
author of my blessings have I duly estimated 
his goodness in imparting them? Indeed I 
have not; and am justly condemned for my 
ingratitude. May none of these things at the 
hour of death rise up to afflict me ! 

I am not sufficiently mindful of those innu- 
merable temporal blessings by which I am dis- 
tinguished. 

My cup runs over; and in spirituals and 
temporals how peculiarly am I favoured I 
"Transported with the view, I'm lost, 
In wonder, love, and praise." 

I feel self-abased in the recollection how cold 
my love to the souls of others has been. I 
have suffered opportunities for serious conver- 
sation to pass unimproved. In this I am alto- 
gether condemned. Lord, forgive me, and 
awaken in me such a deep concern for their 
eternal welfare as shall give me incessant and 
ardent importunity with thee for their salvation. 
I am an accountable creature ; O Lord, wert 
thou strict to mark iniquity I could not stand ; 
for even on a review of my sins of omission 
and commission I am self-condemned, and 
could not hope for thy clemency were there not 
an infinite atonement. Lord, I have no excuse 



MRS. COOPER. 185 

to offer, only ray plea is that Jesus died ; but I 
have recorded them, and now deplore them that 
I may find grace to do so no more ; but to ex- 
ercise more watchfulness, more self-denial, a 
praying spirit ; that being quickened I may 
every day rise to newness of life, and be a 
faithful and obedient subject to Jesus my King 
and my Master, who is the Saviour and Pre- 
server of my soul. 

To JSliss . 

I cannot tell you, dearest Mary Ann, how 
much I regret the transient nature of the plea- 
sure I enjoyed in your company. Fleeting as 
the moments were, I hope the good effects will 
be lasting. I find my aiTections more than 
ever united to you; and I think I better esti- 
mate the value of that friendship for whichl 
have often blessed God ; and feel assured that 
our union with all the redeemed will be eternal. 

I anticipate the continuation of our corres- 
pondence with renewed pleasure ; and trust 
increasing advantage will be the result ; and as 
we are now decided candidates for an immortal 
crown, so I hope our warfare will be continual ; 
and that we snail have in the course of our spi- 
ritual contest much of that peace which passeth 
understanding. 

1 feel at this time the blessedness of calling 
God my Father ; and have an inward peace 
which is indescribable. O my dear Mary Ann, 
the more I drink of the fountain of living wa- 
ters the more I feel my thirst abate for earth- 



186 MEMOIRS OF 

born joys : the more I experience of religion 
the more I find its adaptation to my every 
want. 

To excite each other to these immortal hopes 
and enjoyments shall be our aim by our letters 
and prayers ; and as the time approaches for 
our entrance on those new and important 
engagements which we both have in prospect, I 
trust our application to the all-sufficient source 
of strength and wisdom will be in proportion to 
our need ; that every new and relative duty 
may be filled up in the fear of God ; that we 
may shine as lights in the world, and exemplify 
the spirit of our Lord and Master. 

Farewell, my much loved and invaluable 
friend. In all your future trials may you find 
support by looking upward, and looking for- 
ward : it will be but for a little — 

Yours truly, and affectionately, 

Mary Hanson. 



June, 15, 1811. — I think I never felt more 
powerfully than I have the last week the sensa- 
tion of gratitude. A retrospect of my past 
life, a sense of the countless blessings by 
which I am at present surrounded, and my 
happy prospects of the future; all have con- 
strained me to call on my soul, and all that is 
within me, to bless His holy name. I have 
really been led to think no one ever had such 
peculiar motives for gratitude ; and yet T never 
felt the want of it more. In heaven this noble 



MRS. COOPER. 187 

principle will have full and uninterrupted exer- 
cise : when the soul, released from its cum- 
brous clay, will have every faculty in full and 
perfect action. The thought of heaven, how 
does it inspire me with joy ; with courage to 
fight manfully every enemy that would oppose 
my progress thither. 

Regeneration ! Yes, it is so indeed. A new 
life is imparted to the soul that lays hold of re- 
ligion. Desires, hopes, aims, taste, all undergo 
a complete change. I bless God that in all 
these particulars I can trace a new principle to- 
what formerly influenced me. God being the 
centre of my happiness, the circle of my enjoy- 
ments is unlimited ; and those desires after 
God, which nothing short of eternity can satis- 
fy, must emanate from the infinite and eternal 
Source of all mind. 

"O love Divine, how sweet thou art, 
When shall I find my longing heart 
All taken up by thee." 

" Our blessings brighten as they take their flight." 
As everyday brings me nearer to the time when 
I must leave this loved spot, I view its receding 
beauties with considerable emotion. The cul- 
ture of my flowers which so often engaged my 
attention ; their lovely hues that always charm- 
ed me, and led me to trace His hand " whose 
sun exalts, whose breath perfumes, whose Spirit 
paints." Sweet warblers of the grove, with 
whose hymns of praise my heart has so often 
been in unison, I must leave you all ; thankful 



188 MEMOIRS Of 

I feel for the pure delights ye have afforded me* 
for the honeyed store of enjoyment the works of 
God have imparted ; and for being enabled to 
practise the happy art of deriving my reflections 
from the objects that surrounded me. The 
book of nature I have with delight perused to a 
considerable degree : in a little time I must 
quit this volume ; and by my removed residence 
to London, shall be called upon, in a more 
enlarged and frequent manner, to study God in 
the volumes of providence and grace. I cannot 
then repine : nay, I will even believe that that 
Being who so clearly marks out my path has 
greater enjoyments and usefulness in store for 
me than I ever had ; and this I shall experience 
if led to a deeper acquaintance with him, and to 
a more confirmed vigour in* the pursuit of holi- 
ness. 

I shall immediately have a sweet immortal 
plant to cultivate and rear for the paradise of 
God.* By my own example, spirit, and con- 
duct, by my unwearied instruction, aided by 
the Holy Spirit, I trust I shall be enabled to 
direct the eye and attention of that sweet crea- 
ture to those abodes of glory on which her 
dear, though unknown parent has entered. I 
feel in prospect its importance ; but to Him 
who is all-sufficient I will apply for wisdom 
and grace, that my preconceived notions of 
education (which I think have been well con- 
sidered and digested) may be put into full 
effect. 

* Mr.'C.'s child by his former wife. 






MRS. COOPER. 189 

Religion must be interwoven in all, in every 
part ; so that the mind may be fully impressed 
that the object of all is to prepare her here to 
be useful and happy, and to live in the enjoyment 
of God for ever. 

June 22, 1811.— Through the last week I 
think I have suffered my mind to be too much 
occupied with domestic engagements. They 
would have been performed equally well had 
my thoughts been less engrossed by the occupa- 
tion. I feel I have lost strength by it ; and 
this is a point of danger to which I shall here- 
after be much more exposed. A temptation to 
evil may be concealed amid our most lawful 
engagements ; and a constant recurrence to 
that Being who has grace and wisdom to im- 
part to all, in all circumstances, is indeed a 
duty and a privilege. 

O that spirituality of mind w T ere more a habit 
than it is with me ! I feel a want of more con- 
stant union and communion with God. He 
gives us grace that we may use it; we must 
be co-workers with him. This my daily expe- 
rience shows me. I more and more feel the 
need of a simple dependence on Jesus. I do 
not sufficiently look to him in every dealing of 
providence and grace. But I desire it earn- 
estly, and to walk by faith in him. 

Jidy 6, 1811. — -In expectation of receiving 
on the morrow the holy sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper, I devoted some time this evening for 
the more immediate contemplation of it ; and 
endeavoured to enter into an examination of the 



190 MEMOIRS OP 



QUCii 



state of my heart toward God. I was much 
edified and assisted in reading parts of Thomas 
a Kempis ; and found my soul very much 
drawn out toward God in prayer. The inter- 
course was open, and T felt the indescribable 
blessedness of viewing my blessed Redeemer 
as having suffered, and now interceding on my 
behalf. I trust, indeed, it is a foretaste of the 
more abundant satisfaction I shall find on the 
morrow, at the blessed feast of love. O that 
at the table of my Lord, he may 

" Answer the gracious end in me 

For which his precious life was given ; 
Redeem from all iniquity, 

Restore, and make me meet for heaven !" 

that the root of unbelief, which keeps me 
so long from this blessing, may there receive 
its death-wound. That there my Saviour's 
image may be stamped on my soul ; there may 
I find his precious death effectual for the remo- 
val of all his enemies— nay, their utter destruc- 
tion. 

1 cannot partake of the dying memorials of 
my Redeemer's love without finding fresh and 
lively incentives to consecrate myself anew to 
his service. O, if it be possible, I would do it 
more unreservedly than I ever did. O may my 
whole soul be fully engaged in this all-import- 
ant surrender; and may the last sacrament I 
may ever receive here be the best. . May I, in 
time to come, recur to it as a season when 
" His banner over me was love ;" when I sat 
under his shadow with great delight, exulting in 



MRS. COOPER. 191 

the conviction " that my Beloved is mine, and 
I am his." 

July 7, 1811. — Upon the whole, I have 
found the services of this day very profitable ; 
and before the morning service found great 
liberty and delight in my supplications at the 
throne of grace. At the table of the Lord I 
experienced sweet peace in making a fresh 
surrender of my soul to Jesus. I am indeed 
athirst for more love ; and long to prove all the 
power of his death in saving me from inward 
sin. I want deliverance from a certain quick- 
ness in my disposition, which makes me so 
alive to the slightest imputation from others on 
my past or present conduct. This implies a 
great want of humility and lowliness of mind. 
Had I a deeper acquaintance with myself, I 
hardly think this disposition of mind would so 
often harass me. I want to lie lower at the 
footstool of my Saviour ; I want to feel un- 
moved by offences, and to have my heart glow 
with the same degree of love toward the of- 
fender. When perfected in love this will be the 
happy disposition of my soul. 

O Thou, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, 
espying the secret springs and motives of my 
inmost soul, it satisfies me not that my fellow 
creatures approve and admire my outward de- 
portment: What will this approbation avail? 
It is thine, O God, I need ; and unless the very 
thoughts of my heart are cleansed, the motives 
and principles of my conduct made pure and 
upright, without this testimony I am restless. 



192 MEMOIRS OF 

When I have experienced most happiness in 
thee, it has been when my thoughts have been 
all put in requisition ; all subservient to the 
glorious hopes and the animating prospects 
beyond the grave. 

When the Comforter takes up his abode in 
my heart, then all will be subdued to roy 
heavenly King. 

July 21, 1811. — It is a reflection peculiarly 
pleasing to my mind, that the still small voice 
of God allured me into the paths of true 
religion, amidst the enjoyments of every thin £ 
the world afforded ; health, friends, and pros- 
perity. Deeply conscious of the incapacity of 
all these things to impart the peace and happi- 
ness for which I thirsted — won by the loveli- 
ness of the Gospel, I was enabled, through the 
operations of Divine grace, to take the Lord 
for my portion ; I was gradually brought to 
experience the privileges of my charter as a 
Christian ; and, when pardon was spoken to 
my heart, when peace and joy took place of 
doubt and fear, then I could say, " He is the 
altogether lovely,'- 1 his paths are peace. 

To the present moment I have never lost ihe 
assurance I then received, of my adoption into 
the family of Heaven. It is true, clouds, dark 
clouds, have often veiled the Sun of righteous- 
ness from my eyes : but still I could believe 
he loved me. 

While I possess this blessed hope, no change 
of outward circumstances, no privation of health 
or loss of friends, can make me essentially 



MRS. COOPER. 193 

miserable. Give me but the internal support, 
the peace of God, surpassing all understanding ; 
then pain will be sweet, and the sting of adver- 
sity will be extracted. Repose in Christ and 
his promises can preserve me unmoved amid 
the varying calamities of this state of trial. 
God has not promised the Christian exemption 
from trial, but he has promised support under 
it ; and has declared his unwillingness to afflict. 

It is the hand of love, guided by a tender 
father when the 'probing knife is used. Well, 
then, having surrendered myself to God, virtu- 
ally renouncing my own will, I would, without 
anxiety, commend myself and all future events 
into his hands. 

In point of suffering, I feel that I have too 
little resignation, and my own will is much too 
predominant. Want of faith in God alone 
makes this fear so full of torment. Having 
nothing to do with the events of my future life, 
but to submit to them, sustained by the positive 
assurance that " all things shall work together 
for my good," I desire to yield myself up 
entirely to the Lord, and say, " Not my will, 
but thine be done." 

These reflections have arisen chiefly from 
the near contemplation of an event to me of 
the utmost importance. Very soon I shall 
quit this abode of my infancy and youth ; 
scenes of mirth and folly ; scenes too of peace 
and holy joy. More than ordinarily privileged 
with books and leisure, for a considerable time, 
the improvement of my mind, the gratification 
13 



194 MEMOIRS OF 

of my understanding, was the joy and business 
of my life : even then I pitied those, who, in 
the enjoyments of sense alone suffered the sea- 
son of youth to pass by, This state of mind 
succeeded a considerable disposition to pursuits 
of gayety : and, had I been unbridled by educa- 
tion, I should have launched out into all the 
scenes of gayety so bewitching to the joung* 
Thanks be to God for the restraints thus im- 
posed ! As far as I could I proved the pleasures 
of life, but the omniscience of God then oppress- 
ed me. 

How powerful are the effects of a religious 
education ! Under the ministry of the Rev. Mr* 
Fry, the latter end of the year 1803, 1 became 
broad awake to the importance of eternal things; 
and for several months was earnest and devout. 
We left London— the preaching here not con- 
genial ; losing sacramental opportunities, reli- 
gionlost its power ; and soon I retained nothing 
but the name and the exterior. Books then I 
devoured with avidity, and the midnight hour 
has often found me in my closet, poring over 
the page of history, and the discoveries of na- 
tural philosophy. 

Was I then happy? O no ! going farther and 
farther from God. I often wept when alone, 
and hardly knew why. Sometimes a sermon 
roused me ; oftener my own reflections brought 
me to my knees. My little bark was tossed, 
without a pilot. What a mercy I was not then 
permitted to set sail on the ocean of life. I 
was safely harboured under a paternal roof: 
and though without rudder or compass, the 



MRS. COOPER. 195 

mischief could not be extensive, because con- 
fined. Thus, at a distance from happiness, 
forgetful of the great end of my being, in 
positive disobedience to my Maker, I lived, 
until providentially led to hear the simple, 
unadorned, yet earnest preaching of the Wes- 
leyan Methodists. The most inferior of their 
preachers roused and fixed my attention. I 
lost my critical spirit ; no longer thirsted for 
the flowers of oratory, the elegance of diction ; 
but began to seek and find spiritual food for my 
hungry soul. I first heard them occasionally, 
then more frequently, and at length constantly ; 
and after twelve months hearing them, became 
a member of the society, in March, 1810. 
Since that period I have sought, and I have 
found real happiness in religion ; an effect 
more particularly the result of our creed ; so 
Scriptural, so Divine ! I owe all of happiness 
to them as instruments, to God as the source. 
Glory be to his name ! 

Happy moments I have here enjoyed ; im- 
pelled by the influence of Divine love, my soul 
was on fire for usefulness ; to talk and pray 
with the poor, to aid their necessities, as far as 
I could, now became, to the utmost of my 
power, my sweet employ. In self-denial was 
my joy ; love was the spring of my obedience, 
and all the commands of God were my delight. 
Blessed be God, this is still my experience. 

My union with the society introduced me to 
many very valuable friends in London, In a way 
most clearly providential one is about to remove 
mc from this sphere of long-tried enjoyment. 



196 MEMOIRS OF 

In a few weeks I shall bid adieu to you all, 
scenes of pain and of pleasure ! My opportu- 
nities of usefulness here are about to close. O 
that 1 had been more faithful, more active, 
more earnest ! 

An important event has indeed attached 
itself with my union to this society: through it 
I have acquired the dearest friend I ever had, 
and live in the heart and affections of one who 
appears to be fully worthy of mine. I have had 
daily cause to bless God for it ; and believe I 
shall throughout eternity. No opposition has 
checked our path; a seeming concurrence of 
earth and heaven, the final approval of my will, 
my heart, my judgment. T have the most un- 
bounded confidence in the piety, disposition, 
and understanding of my beloved friend ; and 
I have before me every prospect of all that is 
to be enjoyed in the married life.: — 

In the following thoughts on domestic order 
and discipline, there is as much of sound sense 
as of genuine piety : — 

Aug. 7, 1811. — I hope I have not lived to 
the present time, without deriving some very 
important lessons from observation and expe- 
rience, particularly in domestic life. This is 
the sphere of a woman's action. It is here 
that full scope is given for the right use of her 
understanding, and for the exemplification of 
true religion. A very important trust is com- 
mitted to her ; and I am inclined to think, that 
on her, primarily, the happiness as well as good 
order of a family devolve. Her trials will 



MRS. COOPER. 197 

chiefly arise from those of her own household ; 
it is therefore of very great importance, that a 
good and decisive system should be first 
arranged. Let it be fully impressed on the 
domestics, that such things and such rules you 
expect will be observed. The fewer devia- 
tions, the more their comfort as well as that of 
their superiors will be preserved. But it is 
from the breach of good order, the non-perform- 
ance of things necessary and expected to be 
done, that the trials and exercise of temper and 
patience chiefly arise; — hence the vast im- 
portance of self-command. A remark of Epic- 
tetus, a heathen moralist, just now occurs to 
me — " Begin to govern your passions in the 
smallest things : is your oil spilt," &c, " sub- 
mit with patience, and say to yourself, at this 
rate do I purchase tranquillity and constancy of 
mind. Nothing good is acquired without labour. 
When you call your servant, imagine he may 
be out of the way, or employed in something 
you will not have him to do, but do not make 
him so great as to have it in his power to give 
you disturbance." Were these the suggestions 
of a heathen? and shall a Christian, blessed 
with such a perfect system of morals, called 
upon to be meek and lowly like his Master ; 
promised strength from above equal to every 
exigence : shall he put himself in the power of 
every little accident, and by it give his house- 
hold reason to question the sincerity of his 
religion ] O forbid it, thou ever-present Deity ! 
who at all times' takest cognizance of the ac- 
tions of thy creatures. 



198 MEMOIRS OF 

Our tempers are chiefly exercised by an op- 
position to self-will ; and the more self-import- 
ance there is in the character, the more frequent, 
and the greater in degree, will be the trial. 

It appears to me well to settle it in the mind, 
that daily trials may or will arise ; trials 
known to God, and which may greatly tend to 
promote a spirit of watchfulness and self-ac- 
quaintance ; and from a proper use of them 
the Christian temper may become more esta- 
blished. For this end, how needful every 
morning to pray for special grace to keep me 
from manifesting any temper contrary to the 
Gospel, either by hard or unkind speeches, or 
of suffering trifles wholly to engross that mind 
which ought supremely to be fixed on heavenly 
things. The indulgence of evil tempers, " dark- 
ens evidences and clouds comforts." Most 
earnestly do I entreat of God a complete mastery 
over myself, that, as far as I am concerned, my 
house may be a bethel ; that servants and all 
connected with me may be constrained to ad- 
mire the blessedness and efficacy of true reli- 
gion. What importance will then attach to my 
admonitions ! How much greater will their 
respect be for a mistress who has reason at her 
command, and enforces all by a spirit of love. 

The Saviour never gave orders without pro- 
viding arms, and there is no precept in the bless- 
ed Gospel, for the performance of which God 
is not ready to communicate Divine strength. — 
Good order and punctuality I consider of vast 
importance in the right regulation of a family. 
This will have its foundation in early rising, a 



Mtfc'3. COOPER. 199 

Ihlng I hope to accomplish ; without it I shall 
be unable to devote that time, I hope ever to 
consider a duty, of doing, in various ways, good 
to my indigent fellow creatures. 

There is something very delightful in living 
to good purpose ; to have the prayers and 
blessings of the pious poor ; and by kindness 
and admonition to bring in the way of salvation 
those that know not God. 

How much is implied in living as a Christian; 
in walking with God! 

A letter, of which the following is an extract, 
was written a short time before her marriage : 
it is open and honest, and a proper model for 
all epistles on a similar subject :- — 

To JVEr. John Cooper, 

August 7, 181 L 
Such a letter, from such a friend, at such a 
time demands something more than mere ver- 
bal acknowledgment. Ere this, my dearest 
friend, you must have discovered how alive my 
feelings are to attentions, and the contrary. — 
Neither apathy nor indifference is at all consti- 
tutional with rne. Hence the affection you so 
kindly, so warmly express, will be duly prized, 
and in due time properly returned. Were the 
happy talent of giving extraordinary pleasure in 
the epistolary way mine, you should now re- 
ceive an answer worthy of the affectionate letter 
before me, which afforded me more pleasure 
than I ehoose to express. You have taught me 
to believe that sUence is very expressive. In 



200 MEMOIRS OP 

this way, then, accept and believe me most 
grateful for the undeviating proofs of your 
attachment, at once pleasing and to me so in- 
valuable. 

As our acquaintance will soon assume a more 
important and very different aspect, I aai unwil- 
ling to allow the present opportunity (perhaps 
the last I shall in this way have,) to pass, with- 
out telling you of the very great profit I have 
already derived from our- happy intercourse.— 
The most entire and happy union certainly 
subsists between us on all subjects. We alike 
soar, renouncing the world in every sense, as 
any model for our domestic procedure. " The 
Bible is our one book, and from that pure fount- 
ain I trust our streams of happiness will flow." 

I cannot but indulge a sweet confidence that 
that God, who by his providence has brought us 
to regard each other as we now do, will enable 
me to be every thing requisite to your happiness. 
I have such an entire reliance on that promise, 
"J can do all things through Christ that strength- 
eneth me ;" and, if I may be allowed the ex- 
pression, have so much spiritual ambition, that 
what formerly made me shrink as impossible, I 
can now expect without fear. Faith is omni- 
potent. By prayer only can we hold converse 
with the Deity, and thus be changed from glory 
into glory. 

Hammersmith, August 10, 1811. 

I scarcely know, my dear Miss W , which 

of two motives more powerfuily influences me 
in addressing you at this time ; the request of 



MRS. COOPER. 201 

my dear father, or the desire I feel to express 
the sympathy with which my bosom glows at 
the affecting picture of distress depicted in your 
letter to my father. I do, indeed, most affec- 
tionately feel for you ; and the only expression 
I can give of it is to direct your mind to those 
sources of pure and permanent happiness which 
remain secure, and must flourish amidst the 
changes and perpetual vicissitudes of human 
life, 

I cannot allow myself to think that the acci- 
dent your dear mother has met with, is of itseif 
likely to prove of any serious consequence. — 
Those effects, pain, &c, you mention, naturally 
follow such a concussion of the whole frame. 
I once had a similar accident. 

How far the previous weakness of your dear 
parent may operate against a speedy and en- 
tire recovery I know not : my earnest prayer 
shall be, that a life so invaluable, so much de- 
sired, may long be granted to you. 

That many years of health, if it be the will of 
God, may yet be your portion, and that of your 
amiable mother ; and that the successive afflic- 
tions, with which you have been visited, may 
ultimately prove to you " blessings in disguise." 

O my dear Miss W , true religion is, indeed, 

a powerful charm ; it can do what the philoso- 
pher's stone has done fabulously, turn all that 
it touches into gold. When that veil opaque, 
which naturally covers our hearts, is thrown 
aside, we discover a Being of infinite benevo- 
lence, who in first giving his Son for our ran- 
som, denies us nothing else, but dips every 



£02 MEMOIRS OF 

seeming painful arrow into love ; and tries us 
here, that we may be fitted for the pure and 
peaceful enjoyment of himself in the world 
above. Would the dross ever be separated from 
the gold, think you, my dear friend, were it 
merely to lie exposed to the meridian sun ? — 
O no. That genial warmth would leave the 
gross particles unextracted : in some cases it 
must be purified seven times in the furnace. — 
Let us apply this to unclouded prosperity; and 
take a view of the state of our hearts and hopes, 
when our expectations beat high with present 
enjoyments and future prospects. The world, 
how desirable ! That Being who sustains our 
lives, whose penetrating eye is ever upon us, 
and who, by mercies momentarily dispensed, 
lays claim to our love, is perhaps the last re- 
membered. Though we thus forget him, he 
remembers us: earthly props are withdrawn; 
sickness demands reflection ; the sly scythe of 
time mows down, with unrelenting hand, the 
objects of our present love ; and when thus left 
to the solitude of our hearts, the fascinations of 
the world sicken and fade from our view. 'Tis 
then the Father of the fatherless extends his 
arms to receive his returning child. Read the 
sweet parable of the prodigal in Luke xv. Let 
me entreat you, my dear, to read and prize the 
book of God. We naturally attach importance 
to a remedy that has been tried, and proved 
effectual ; especially if the individual who pre- 
scribes it has had personal proof of its efficacy. 
Allow me then, from my experience (a present 
happy possession) of its value, to urge upon 






Mas. cooper. 20'B 

you to make religion the paramount desire of 
your heart, Life is a bitter draught without it ; 
religion is a purifying, exalting, tranquillizing 
principle. It makes the yoke of duty easy, the 
burden of care light. In the words of an ele- 
gant writer, " It is the knowledge of Him, 
whom to know is wisdom, whom to fear is 
rectitude, whom to love is happiness." A 
sweet epitome of its worth ! This is such a 
darling theme of mine, that I am apt to dwell 
long upon it ; but I could never express the 
tenth part of the happiness I have found in those 
ways, which the wise man declares to be paths 
of peace and pleasantness : but religion to me 
was merely a system of restraints until I obey- 
ed the Divine injunction, and gave God my 
heart : and of course gave up the world. For 
inspiration declares, " If any man love the 
world, the love of the Father is not in him :" 
and believe me, my dear, a true taste of hea- 
ven-born enjoyments gives us an effectual dis- 
relish for the irrational and frothy pleasures of 
the world. 

When we travel round the world within, and 
hold converse with 



• " a stranger there 



Of high descent, and more than mortal rank, 

An embryo God, a spark of fire Divine, 
Which must burn on for ages, when the sun, / 
Fair transitory creature of a day, 

Has closed his golden eye." 

There are moments when we can rejoice in 
being endued with immortality, and when we 
can feel our souls elevated with a view of that 
infinite price paid on the cross by Him " who 



204 MEMOIRS OF 

wept that we might smile, who bled that we 
might never die." We must not forget the 
golden chain let down from heaven to save a 
sinking world ; but avail ourselves of that mys- 
terious mean left open for holding intercourse 
with the Father of our spirits by prayer, the 
noblest employment of created beings on 
earth; the elevation of the soul toward its 
Maker. O that you, my dear friend, in this 
season of affliction, of painful suspense, may 
find, in approaching the Saviour of a lost world, 
that peace and composure, that resignation and 
acquiescence, which he waits to bestow ; for he 
hath said, " Ask, and you shall receive ; seek, 
and you shall find." 

As I hope you will have inclination, as well 
as time, to read a long letter, I shall not apolo- 
gize for having followed the present dictates of 
my inclination : I cannot doubt that you will 
regard the motives pure and affectionate. Ir 
any way to alleviate the sorrows and sufferings 
of my fellow creatures is the prime luxury of my 
life ; and to direct their attention toward those 
sources of happiness I have proved is only a 
slight return of gratitude to that Being who so 
peculiarly blesses me. What more shall I say 
to soothe you ? May the mind of your dear 
parent be supported under her affliction ; and 
when oppressed with pain and weakness, may 
the everlasting arms be beneath her. By an 
interest in the Saviour, may -she be raised from 
the ruins of the fall, and have a glorious hope of 
happiness beyond the grave. Time is but the 
infancy of our . being ; but |t is our state of 



MRS. COOPER. 205 

probation ; and therefore consequences of infi- 
nite value attach to the present moment ; and 
the words of our incarnate God are, " Verily I 
say unto you, except ye be born again ye can- 
not see the kingdom of God." 

I hope I have not weaned you, my dear 

Miss W -, with the subject. I have pressed 

it the more on your attention from the vein of 
seriousness so observable in your letter ; and 
knowing it to be the only thing adapted to satis- 
fy creatures endued with immortality, I have 
ventured to dwell largely on the importance of 
answering the great end of our existence. All 
that I have said is derived from that book which 
we all receive as inspiration. 

My dear mother feels exceedingly for you in 
your trials. Present our kind remembrances 
to your dear mother ; and believe me to remain, 
Yours, very affectionately, 

Mary Hanson. 

Ham mer smith, Aug. 20, 1811. 

My Dear Miss W. — My last letter was the 
result of sympathy and condolence, and I hope 
the progressive amendment of your dear mo- 
ther's health will justify the. present being a 
congratulatory one. I rejoice with you in the 
prospect of her restoration, and I trust God will 
put efficacy in the means used for the establish- 
ment of her general health. 

I anvinduced to reply to vour kind letter now, 
(for which I thank you,) from the probability 
that for a considerable time to come a variety 
of new engagements will fully occupy my mind: 






206 MEMOIRS OF 

indeed, at the present moment, it is with diffi- 
culty I can allow any scribbling time ; so that 
should this letter be shorter than yours, you 
will make every due allowance. It is no trifling 

circumstance, my dear Miss W , to be on 

the point of leaving a home endeared by all the 
pleasing varieties of childhood and youth; to 
quit the superintendence of dear parents, &c, 
&c ; to commence new relations and new 
engagements : both in retrospect and prospect 
there is full occupation for the mind. 

With me, I must thankfully acknowledge both 
to be tinctured with a pleasing hue. -I feel 
reason to rejoice that the formation of a con- 
nection, so all important, was not made at an 
earlier period of my life, when my feelings would 
have been far more consulted than my judgment: 
that 1 was not permitted hastily to choose a 
companion, when uninfluenced by religion, I 
might have selected one destitute of that only 
bond of permanent domestic happiness. That 
this principle is the only security for its con- 
tinuance, is my most deliberate judgment, after 
much reflection and observation. I cannot 
express to you how endearing is a union of 
hearts in religion, where mutual hopes and aims 
are directed toward objects pure, lovely, and 
permanent ; with the animating expectation, 
that when this mortal shall put on immortality, 
" Together both their happy spirits fly, 
To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign." 
After a most happy intimacy, both epistolary 
and personal of twelve months, I shall, if God 
permit, surrender myself to one of the most 



MRS. COOPER. 207 

amiable of men on Tuesday next ; a period I 
can regard without the least anxiety, because 
convinced of the unerring guidance of Provi- 
dence, and of the entire suitability of the indi- 
vidual I love. 

I should not have said so much to you on this 
subject, dear Miss W — — , but for the desire 
I feel, that as you possess such pious views, 
you would never enter on a connection so im- 
portant, without imploring the guidance and 
direction of Heaven ; and making piety a first 
consideration In your choice. 

Religion is interwoven with all my hopes and 
plans of happiness : it is a sweet ingredient jn 
the bitter draught of life ; it is a perennial spring 
in the very centre of the heart : — it is all we 
need to make us happy here and for ever. 

It gives rne much pleasure to hear you speak 
so decidedly of your love and preference of 
piety, and of your habitual perusal of the word 
of God. May the Divine Spirit more and more 
enlighten our minds to comprehend its treasures 
and estimate its worth. 

I expect to return from Wales in about three 
weeks, when I shall be happy to hear from yoiu 
By that time I hope your good mother will be 
restored to a more decisive state of health. 
Time will not allow me to enlarge : you will 
accept the intention, and believe me to remain, 
your very affectionate, Mary Hanson. 

Shortly before her marriage her mind was 
more than ever impressed with the importance 
of the step she was about to take ; with the new 



208 MEMOIRS OF 

situation to which she thought herself so evi- 
dently called by Divine Providence ; with the 
various relations in which she must shortly 
stand, and the duties which, in each of those 
relations, she must conscientiously discharge. 
Her feelings, views, and reflections, on these 
subjects, are well expressed in the following 
passages : — 

August 8, 1811. — It is the peculiar privilege 
of the mind, properly influenced by the spirit of 
religion, to extract good from apparent evil ; and 
from the chequered circumstances of life, to 
view the overruling and kind intentions of a 
God of love, in every thing. 

A review of the past inspires confidence in 
the future. 

When I take a survey of my past life, from 
the period reason began to operate, I can trace 
the guidance of an almighty hand ; and can 
adore that wisdom and love which have made 
even seeming hinderances a real help to the 
knowledge of himself. 

All my domestic trials, the moral school in 
which I have been disciplined, will, I hope, 
prove of continual benefit to me in future life. 

By being accustomed to have my stubborn 
will and inclinations crossed, my motives 
questioned, and my favourite schemes thwarted, 
a considerable measure of that self-will and 
self-importance, so natural to me, has received 
a powerful check ; and as I shall shortly, with 
the permission of Heaven, breathe in an atmos- 






MRS. COOPER. 209 

phere the most congenial to the sensibilities of 
my nature, I trust I shall duly prize and affec- 
tionately return them. 

I feel the advantage of what I have suffered: 
I can bear opposition; and the natural inde- 
pendence of my mind, as far as it has been 
extravagant, has been thus much subdued. 

It is probable, if I had been allowed time for 
the attainment of knowledge, in reading, &c, 
my inclination would have been less ardent for 
it; nor should 1 have accustomed myself so 
fully to employ every moment. I have learned 
to enjoy solitude : a love of books first inspired 
this ; and afterward, a recollection of the little 
stores I had laid up in my mind, tended exceed- 
ingly to make me enjoy my oivn company. An 
important acquisition this. I have never known 
what ennui means, from my own experience. 
I have been taught too, to consider religion as 
nothing worth, unless its benign influences be 
shed on domestic life, by rectifying the tempers, 
and " making the crooked paths of nature 
even." We must " by actions show our sins 
forgiven." 

The restoration of the lost image of God, 
can mean nothing less than the implantation of 
the meek and lowly mind of Jesus. 

I find too, that it is profitable to give up one's 
own will in little things ; to avoid pertinacity, 
and rather yield, though unconvinced, than 
rouse in the opponent those evil passions of 
pride and malevolence, so baneful in their con- 
sequences. 

14 



210 MEMOIRS OF 

« 

Punctuality in family arrangements is of vast 
importance ; properly to divide time, and to be 
diligent in whatever you are about. Example 
is far more powerful than precept. Enforce 
nothing in your family, if it be a sacrifice you 
are not willing to make yourself, It is a most 
pleasing consideration, that the dear friend, with 
whom I hope to spend the residue of my days, 
on all these subjects thinks with me ; with this 
difference, with him it has long been practice ; 
with me, at present, it is little more than theory. 

Aug. 17, 1811. — How does the prospect of 
witnessing and manifesting the influential prin- 
ciple of religion in domestic life cheer my heart 
and brighten my prospects? Under the roof 
of my dearest friend I feel assured I shall per- 
petually breathe an atmosphere congenial to 
my wishes. Peace is an invaluable possession, 
and most scrupulous shall I ever feel for its 
preservation. 

" The spirit, like a peaceful dove, flies from 
the haunts of noise and strife." How would it 
pain my heart, could I believe myself capable, 
or disposed to render, by intentional or unin- 
tentional remarks, one member of my family a 
prey to an hour's grief. I trust it will be my 
continual aim, by the help of God, to make all 
happy around me, and to manifest the real spirit 
of piety in every transaction of my life. 

All I have learned in the schools of reading 
and experience, must there be brought into 
action. Mental accomplishments avail little 
indeed, unless they regulate the heart, and cause 
the benefit to be more felt tlian seen. I must 






MRS. COOPER* 211 

not display, but act; love, and be beloved. 
There must be a sentry at my heart, that must 
be kept ; for out of it proceeds all that tends to 
disquietude. I must sacrifice in little things ; 
beware of pertinacity ; in short, beware of every 
thing that shall cause the slightest interruption 
of that peace, which to me appears so highly 
desirable, and which cannot be sufficiently 
prized. 

Aug. 21, 1811.— I feel thankful that I did 
not, at an earlier period of my life, enter into 
the important engagements near at hand. Such 
an occurrence would have deprived me of the 
many invaluable opportunities I had of laying 
in a store of useful knowledge, both by reading 
and observation. I trust that now, my judgment 
Js sufficiently matured to justify the desire, and 
hope I have, that the new and important rela- 
tions on which I shall enter will be filled with 
that propriety which is the result of a well regu- 
lated mind. " As in the superintendence of 
the universe, wisdom is seen in its effects, and 
as they proceed with beautiful regularity, not of 
chance, but by design ; so that management 
which seems the most easy, is commonly the 
consequence of the best concerted plan ; and a 
well concerted plan is seldom the offspring of 
an ordinary mind. A sound economy is a sound 
understanding brought into action. The more 
a woman's judgment is rectified, the more 
accurate views she will take of the station she 
is born to fill ; and the more readily will she 
accommodate herself to it." These remarks 
of my favourite author I appropriate to myself. 



iI2 MEMOIRS OF 

I feel their force, and wish to act upon them* 
I shall indeed have read and thought in vain, 
unless I fill up the domestic circle with more 
propriety and usefulness than those who have 
either wanted time or inclination for the same 
rational pursuits. What a happiness is the as- 
surance, that the intended partner of my life 
entertains the same views, and will help me by 
his counsel and advice to fulfil my plans and 
intentions ;. and, above all, that God will con- 
descend to assist me by his grace, to act in all 
things as becomes the character of a Christian. 
Sunday, Jiug. 25, 1811. — I would adore and 
magnify thy holy name, most holy God and 
heavenly Father, for the countless mercies 
bestowed upon me beneath this parental roof. 
Richly endowed with the gifts of Providence, 
and the better blessings of thy grace, I have 
been long called upon by love and gratitude 
wholly to devote myself to thy service. Lord, 
thou knowest how sincerely and how frequently 
I have done this. It is my daily privilege to 
live momentarily on the charity of Heaven ; — 
the blessed dependence of true believers. Thou 
art all sufficient; therefore I can now look up 
and expect the blessing I so peculiarly need at 
this time. In thy fear ? O God, shall I enter on 
the solemn engagements of Tuesday next. O 
condescend there to meet us ; and at the sacred 
altar do thou manifest thyself to our souls. In 
the days of thy incarnation thou didst honour 
the institution with thy Divine presence; and 
though withdrawn from our bodily eyes y yet thou 
hast still immediate access to all spirits. 






MRS. COOPER. 213 

Dearest Redeemer ! wilt thou not bless thy 
children ? Wilt thou not speak sweet peace to 
those who pant for no other joys than those 
which flow from thee? Thou wilt: past expe- 
rience encourages me to trust thee. O that 
every good and desirable end may be accom- 
plished by this providence. 

May we live, blessings approved of Heaven i 
epistles known and read of all men ; lights of 
the world ; and to thy name shall be all the 
glory. 

Here I close my Hammersmith journal, with 
sentiments of gratitude to God. O may the 
new era of my life, at hand, abundantly farther 
my immortal interests ; and to Father, Son, and 
Holy Ghost, be endless praises. Amen, and 
amen ! 

M. H. 

Miss Hanson's marriage with Mr. Cooper 
took place, according to appointment, on August 
27, 181 l y with the most favourable auspices, 
and, humanly speaking, with the promise of 
every blessing, spiritual and temporal. That 
the same principle actuated her heart and her 
conduct after marriage as before it, is well 
known to all who had the privilege of her ac- 
quaintance, and particularly from the subsequent 
passages in her journal. One thing it may be 
necessary to remark, that owing to the general 
indisposition under which she laboured after 
her marriage, and which to some is the natural 



214 MEMOIRS OF 

consequence of such a state, she suffered fire* 
quent depression of spirits ; and this caused her 
to speak less favourably of her religious state 
than she might have done : — she was shortly to 
become a mother, and had to tread, to her, an 
unbeaten path. Hence she was often incapable 
of discerning between a state of great nervous 
depression, a frequent consequence of a state 
of pregnancy, and spiritual declension : her in- 
experience sometimes led her to form wrong 
conclusions. That she suffered much from 
the former, both in body and mind, her friends 
saw with deep concern : but they anticipated 
the pleasing hope, that the hour was continually 
approaching in which her wonted vigour of body 
and energy of mind would be restored; and 
experience fortify her against suffering so keenly 
in future, from undue apprehensions of her real 
state. That she had suffered no loss in her 
soul ; that her bow continued in unabated 
strength ; that her heart was increasingly right 
with God ; and that in proportion to her strength 
she was as diligent, yea, more abundant in all 
the means of grace, in the work of faith, patience 
of hope, and labours of love, after her marriage 
as before it, was easily marked by her spiritual 
instructers, and most obvious to the whole 
circle of her religious acquaintance. The poor 
and the distressed, for whom, with incessant 



MRS. COOPER. < 2 15 

diligence, she laboured till she died, can most 
forcibly tell the tale of her benevolent exertions; 
for their sakes she often forgot herself,— -ever 
feeling, that in all situations of life, and in all 
circumstances of health, she was called to 
glorify God, by doing goad to man. It has 
been judged necessary to make these observa- 
tions, lest from the manner in which she ex- 
presses herself in some parts of the succeeding 
journal, the inexperienced or unthinking might 
be led to suppose that her spiritual state was 
less prosperous after her marriage ; whereas 
the reverse might, in all probability, be most 
safely maintained, as her last days, and particu- 
larly her last hours, appear so abundantly to 
demonstrate. 

Knighton, Sept. 7, 1811.-— Since I last wrote 
the most important event of human life has been 
ratified, I trust, in heaven, as well as upon earth. 
We reached this place* on Saturday evening, 
August 31. 

I am truly happy with this dear family ; re- 
ceived with such uncommon affection ; the 
witness of so much piety ; so much domestic 
concord ; my mercies are without number. 

Sunday, Sept. 1, 1811. — At nine we went to 
the Methodist chapel here; heard Mr. R. from 
" What shall I render unto the Lord for all his 
benefits which he hath done unto me*" At 

* The residence of Mr, C.'s father. 



216 memoirs or 

eleven went to church, heard Mr, Morgan 
Evans, from, " And Enoch walked with God, ,? 
&c. I was much pleased with the simplicity 
of the preacher, and his views of the subject. 
At six heard Mr. Radford, at chapel. After 
the evening service, I and my dear husband had 
the gTeat privilege of receiving the memorials 
of our Redeemer's love ; we found it a most 
profitable and delightful season to our souls, 
and were not a little thankful in having so early 
an opportunity after our union, of thus renewing 
our covenant with God. 

London, Sept. 29, .1811. — We returned 
home on the 20th instant, since which time I 
have been so fully engaged that I have found 
no time to make any little record of the various 
blessings I am now continually receiving. 
" Peace, harmony, and love, the richest bounty 
of indulgent Heaven," are ours. Happy ia 
God and in each other, we feel our every 
breath should be praise. I wish, indeed, to 
evidence true devotion^ by an unreserved con- 
secration of all my powers and faculties to the 
service of my Master in heaven. I feel that 
as a Christian I am not to live to myself; nor 
am I to confine all my exertions to my own 
family. They have the first claim ; but am I 
not called upon to administer to the necessi- 
tous, and in various ways impart the blessings so 
profusely bestowed upon me ? 

I have been much blessed every Sabbath 
since our marriage. How profitable is the Lord's 
day, when private intercourse tends to confirm 
the benefit received from public instruction i 



MRS. COOPER. 217 

when nothing interrupts the sacred harmony 
which ought to pervade the mind of the Chris- 
tian. 

Oct. 29, 1811. — Although supremely blessed 
with every earthly enjoyment, yet have I, from 
various exercises of mind throughout the past 
month, been led to see the emptiness of every 
mere temporal good. For some days comfort 
was withheld ; and I felt a painful void at the 
absence of my heavenly Father. In this state 
I was frequently led to feel the insufficiency of 
every thing but God to make me happy. In 
searching for the cause, I found that my private 
devotions had been more hurried tharr usual ; 
and that the intrusion of domestic concerns was 
allowed to encroach upon the time set apart for 
secret converse with God. As a consequence 
of this, perhaps I did not so set the Lord before 
me as to walk with him. Thus the Spirit of 
God was grieved, and my soul brought into 
heaviness through manifold temptations. 

All this I deplored to Mrs. C. at my class, 
on the 21st. Her sensible admonitions were^ 
made truly profitable to me, and I returned 
home determined to seek till I found, once 
more, sensible peace with God. In a consider- 
able degree it has been mercifully restored to 
me. [$ee the remarks in p. 213.] 

Nov, 9, 1811. — How necessary is it that 
God should remind us of the dissolving nature 
of our earthly tabernacle. When pain and lan- 
guor seize the body, then I practically feel the 
insufficiency of all the temporal good I enjoy 
to make me happy. I regard every menientQ 



i 



218 MEMOIRS 01' 

of this sort as mercifully designed to wean ft* 
affections from the creature, and to make me 
feel that rest can only be found in heaven — in 
God. 

Since my marriage I have certainly had a 
very large increase of temporal peace and hap- 
piness ; but that I may not be exalted above 
measure, my heavenly Father has mingled in 
this cup of sweets a few unsavoury ingredients. 
My health has been far less uninterrupted than 
before. 

" Choice befits not our condition, 
Acquiescence is the best." 

If the Lord but visit me with the light of his 
countenance, and make the season of indispo- 
sition a time for Divine communications, how 
cheerfully will I embrace all he appoints. I 
am sure he does all in love : and as I cannot 
let go the confidence I have that he is my Fa- 
ther ; so I believe he will pitifully weigh what- 
ever chastisements he sees fit to exercise me 
with. I bless God I feel superior to the influ- 
ence of earthly baits to make me happy. 

Dec. 7, 1811. — Am I making progress in the 
Divine life 1 In answer to this inquiry, I must 
pause and reflect. I find my desires after full 
sanctification, and feel the necessity of it, as 
much as ever I did ; and though frequently 
cast down by my want of life in devotion, still 
I thirst after the living God, and desire a joyful 
sense of his presence, far more than any thing 
this world has to present. I have had to con- 
tend for the last two months, tvilh almost contin- 
ual pain and weakness of body. This is indeed 



MRS, COOPER. 21$ 

quite a new trial to me, (health almost uninter- 
rupted having heretofore been my portion,) and 
has tended very much to depress my spirits ; 
and from the close union between body and soul, 
has perhaps caused much of the darkness I 
have mourned. Though a trying and unexpect- 
ed appointment, I feel quite sure that wisdom 
and love are conspicuous in it. Were it not for 
this alloy, I should have nothing to prove to me 
that this is a state of discipline. Blessed in 
every other way, my hold of God, as the only 
satisfying portion would be difficult indeed. I 
trust I have felt nothing like a disposition to 
murmur. As every month will bring me nearer 
to that important and trying event of which 1 
have always had so uncommon a dread, and 
once such dismal forebodings, I trust the grace 
of God will be imparted more abundantly ; and 
that as I shall need, so I shall have imparted an 
increase of faith to trust Him who has promised 
to hear and answer in the day of trouble. 

Jan. 19, 1S12. — What abundant reason have 
I to bless and magnify the name of the Lord, 
that he has not withdrawn the refreshing influ- 
ences of his Holy Spirit from my soul ; and 
although my devotedness to him, and love to 
his name, have borne no proportion to his bene- 
fits toward me ; yet still he quickens me, and 
has of late in an abundant measure, caused me 
to hunger and thirst after his righteousness. On 
the last day of the year I was much depressed 
in mind ; and on self-examination found very 
great cause for deep humiliation before him ; 
especially during some of the latter months. 



^20 MEMOIRS OF 

God had multiplied in rich abundance my 
means of grace, of spiritual improvement, and 
temporal enjoyment; and yet, alas ! I had 
been in danger of ungratefully resting more in 
the gift than the Giver. Deeply convinced of 
my ingratitude, after spending some time in 
prayer with my beloved husband, for the quick- 
ening influences of God's Spirit, we went to 
the watch-night at Queen-street chapel, where 
God so blessed the service, and in particular 
Dr. Clarke's sermon, that I left my burden be- 
hind me, and found liberty afresh to give 
myself up to God. From that period I have 
felt myself like a new creature. God has been 
near to me in prayer, and his Spirit has ren- 
dered effectual every means of grace. 

On the 4th, I went to Hammersmith ; and 
again found waiting upon God, in my favourite 
chapel there, very good and refreshing. In 
the afternoon the covenant was renewed, in 
which I found great liberty and sweetness. At 
the Lord's table my vows received a double 
confirmation. To be altogether the Lord's, 
to walk closely with him, and to strive to follow 
him in all things, has been, and is now, through 
Divine assistance, my firm purpose and inten- 
tion. I have been of late deeply convinced of my 
own insufficiency ; and if I remain steadfast in 
my present purposes, I am sensible it must be 
by the power of God through Jesus Christ 
alone. At present I find much peace, and 
power to cast all my care upon him : and am 
led very earnestly to entreat God that he will 
sanctify the happy union which has taken plac@ 



MRS. COOPER. 221 

during the past year ; and that he will make my 
dear husband more abundantly instrumental to 
my good, and me to his. I must watch and 
pray continually. 

The mercies of God, which so richly encom- 
pass me, " are trials, not rewards" and I find 
myself more in danger of growing careless, 
from the profusion of his gifts, than I perhaps 
should do were they imparted with a more 
sparing hand. By the mercies of God, then, 
let me be constrained to present my body and 
soul, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in 
his sight. Should these benefits be misim- 
proved or slighted, may I not justly fear their 
being withdrawn or diminished ? O, thou 
heavenly benefactor, who hast so peculiarly 
distinguished me with thy benefits, let me, by thy 
grace, be as eminently distinguished for my 
faith, love, humility, and zeal for thy service ! 
Help me to live to thee ; that to please thee in 
all things may be my habitual aim, and my 
never-failing spring of comfort. I dare not ask 
at thy hands either comforts or crosses ; but I 
do ask to have no will but thine ; and to have 
the features of my dear Redeemer more and 
more impressed, in living characters, on my 
heart. O let me know what it is to have a 
constantly indwelling God ! 

JWarch 11, 1812. — My religious experience 
has of late been very variable. To sit loose to 
the world, is a difficult, though necessary duty. 
I feel without it I cannot make progress in Di- 
vine things, nor enjoy the peace which passeth 
understanding : and without this, all my other 



222 MEMOIRS OF 

enjoyments are nugatory and void. Lord, 
quicken thou my soul. Rich as I am in worldly 
blessings, without thy love I am poor and des- 
titute indeed. My late experience has led me 
more than ever to feel my own utter insuffi- 
ciency without the constant aid of the Spirit of 
God. God has visited me with much bodily 
pain and debility. I hear his voice in it, and 
am fully persuaded it is a visit of mercy. But 
is it yet sanctified ? alas ! not as it should, nor 
as it might have been. A review of this, on 
the last Sabbath, caused me brokenness of 
spirit. Weary and heavy-laden I went to the 
Lord, and found myself much relieved and en- 
couraged to fight against these opposers of iny 
spiritual lite. I must not live at a distance 
from the supreme Good. In times past I have 
par taken of the heavenly manna, and drank of 
the fountain of life freely ; and it is still open. 
O that I may now exercise faith on my Lord 
and Saviour, and seek for grace every moment, 
that every evil tendency may be quelled as it 
rises ! \_See the remarks in p. 213.] 

I am all need and helplessness ; yet I -desire 
nothing so much as the removal of whatever 
tends to separate me from my heavenly Father. 
My marriage too lays me under increasing 
obligations to devote myself to God, who has 
bestowed upon me the best earthly blessing. I 
am called to new duties, which require peculiar 
grace properly to discharge them. O Lord, I 
will renew my dedication to thy service. Bap- 
tize me afresh with thy Holy Spirit, and sanc- 
tify bodily affliction. O may it be the one 



MRS. COOPER. 22£ 

desire of my soul to gain more and more of the 
Divine image, and to be increasing in holiness 
and meetness for the eternal world ! 

My present circumstances ought certainly 
to make me familiar with death and its conse- 
quences. / knoiv not that I shall survive the 
hying hour of childbirth : at any rate, I shall 
then especially need the supports and comforts 
of true religion, and the presence of God, which 
to some he so mercifully imparts at that awful 
period. O that I may now be found faithful to 
the grace given ! 

April 26, 1S12. — I have devoted some hours 
of this sacred day to a serious examination of 
the state of my heart before God, and have 
found cause enough to be deeply humbled and 
abased, on the review of the little improvement 
I have made of the numerous advantages I en- 
joy- 

The hour of trial is with me fast approach- 
ing, in which I shall have especial need of the 
presence of my heavenly Father, to give me 
patience to bear suffering, and to resign myself 
wholly to his disposal. The veil which sepa- 
rates me from the eternal world may be soon 
drawn aside. O that I may be very careful 
rightly to improve the few remaining weeks 
previously to my confinement, in more frequent 
approaches to a throne of grace; that I may 
enjoy sweet communion w 7 ith the Father of my 
spirit ! May I study more attentively the bless- 
ed word of God, that its promises may be the 
support of my mind— the food of my soul ! 



^24 MEMOIRS or 

Every page of the preceding work has been 
gradually preparing the reader for the solemn 
issue ! In a short time after she wrote the above, 
which is the end of her diary, this excellent wo- 
man passed triumphantly through the valley of 
the shadow of death, which- she appears to have 
so long anticipated. The forebodings of her 
own mind tended much to unnerve her already 
deeply depressed frame ; and caused her to 
fall a readier victim to death. The following 
account of her last moments has been drawn 
up by Mr. Cooper : — 

For several weeks before the confinement of 
my dear wife, she seemed to enjoy the public 
means of grace, as well as family worship, in a 
more than ordinary degree. 

The day before her confinement, viz. Sun- 
day, June 14th, she was very unwell, and could 
not attend public worship in the morning ; but 
being considerably better in the evening, we 
went to St. Mary Woolnoth, to hear our es- 
teemed friend, Mr. Pratt. She very much 
enjoyed this opportunity ; and on our return 
home we spent about three quarters of an hour 
together in mutual prayer and singing several 
hymns : we then called our family to prayer. 
Just before retiring to rest, she said, that al- 
though she had not been able to attend the 
house of God in the morning, her soul had been 
greatly refreshed throughout the day. 

The following morning, June 15, she was 



MRS. COOPER. 225 

sensible that the time of trial was approaching. 
She was very cheerful, and several times ex- 
pressed her confidence that God would be with 
her and support her. A little after midnight 
she was safely delivered of a fine boy : there 
was nothing attending the labour to give any 
ground of alarm ; and through the whole of 
Tuesday she was as well as could be expected ; 
but in the evening dangerous symptoms ap- 
peared. The best medical advice was obtained 
as soon as possible ; but from this night she 
thought she should not recover : she said to the 
nurse, " I shall die ;" who replied, " If it should 
be the will of God, I hope you are not afraid of 
death." She answered, " O no!" On Sunday 
morning she altered so much for the worse, that 
scarcely any hope remained. As the strictest 
injunctions were laid upon us by the physicians 
to keep her as quiet as possible, I had very little 
conversation with her after her confinement ; 
but she appeared to be in a comfortable and 
resigned state. 

On Monday morning, June 22, perceiving 
there was no human probability of her recove- 
ry, I thought it my duty to inquire the state of 
her mind; and after praying with her, (in every 
petition she heartily joined,) I said, " What a 
mercy it is my love, that we have a God to 
look to in all circumstances." " Yes," she 
replied, "and I have not far to go: he is very near 
to me." I said, " God is our refuge and strength, 
a very present help in time of trouble : do you 
find him so ?" She answered, " Yes, I do."— 
15 



226 MEMOIRS OF 

At another time she said, " / am very happy; 
I have no fear." I asked, " Is Christ precious 
to you] do you find him near]" She said, 
" Yes, very near to bless : he says to me, / am 
thine, and thou art mine." 

Having left the room, in a short time she 
said to my sister Mary, " Tell my dear husband 
to come here." When I went she said again, 
" I am very happy." ■" What makes you 
happy?" " My Jesus," she replied, and then 
repeated, 

'"This life's a dream, an empty show, 
But that bright world to which I go 
Hath joys substantial and sincere; 
When shall I wake and find me there ?" 

i( Jesus is the rock of ages; he is my rock. 
Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is with- 
in me bless his holy name." When the nurse 
.inquired if she recollected a psalm she had been 
repeating, she immediately said, " The Lord is 
my light and my salvation ; whom shall I fear ? 
The Lord is the strength of my heart ; of whom 
shall I be afraid .1" 

When I returned I found her in the same 
happy state of mind, saying, " Glory be to God 
in ike highest : glory he to God in the highest : 
1 have experienced a glorious elevation of mind ! 
It is all over." Afterward, to my sister she 
said, " O Mary, can we ever doubt such a Sa- 
viour VI and added, " Come unto me all ye that 
fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done 
for my soul !" and then turning to her sister, 
said, " You can praise God ; cannot you, Mary?" 

She was continually repeating the promises 



MRS. COOPER. 227 

of God. and observed, " What a promise-keep- 
ing God we have ! Be not faithless, but believ- 
ing.' ' When her sister inquired if she found the 
Lord to be her refuge and strength in this time 
of need, she answered with much fervency, " O 
yes !" and then putting her hands together, and 
fixing her eyes upward, she said, " Clap your 
hands, all ye people ; come and let us exalt his 
name together." She then began to pray in 
great earnestness, often saying, " Bless the 
Lord, O my soul." She afterward repeated 
some lines from the hymns of Dr. Watts, among 
which the following were nearly the last words 
she uttered : — 

"My flesh shall slumber in the ground, 
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound : 
Then burst the chains with sweet surprise, 
And in my Saviour's image rise.'' 

She was then seized with that convulsion 
which deprived her of her senses ; and in a little 
time her happy spirit, freed from its earthly ta- 
bernacle, ascended to that Saviour in whom she 
believed, and in communion with whom, for 
several years of her life, her chief happiness 
consisted. 

She fell asleep in Jesus, on Monday, June 
22, 1812, at a quarter past two in the afternoon, 
in the 26th year of her age. 

A few extracts from Mrs. Cooper's letters to 

her religious correspondents will interest the 

reader. They argue, as her other writings do, 

" an enlightened and well-cultivated mind, as well 

as a friendly and pious heart. Some of those 



228 MEMOIRS OF 

extracts which are inscribed to Miss M. were 
written by Miss H. while she was under deep 
concern relative to her intended matrimonial 
connection, and some others, immediately after. 
She saw the absolute necessity of having a de- 
cidedly religious companion, if any, to accom- 
pany her in the path of religion. She had seen, 
and she had heard, that those young persons 
who had taken up the cross of Christ, and after- 
ward married irreligious, or not thoroughly de- 
cided religious characters, either " turned back 
to perdition, or had a cross the most afflictive 
to bear throughout life." The advices and di- 
rections in these letters are too excellent to be 
slightly regarded ; and it may be hoped have 
had their due influence on the person to whom 
they were addressed ; nor can any to whom 
they may be applicable consult them without 
profit : — 

Hammersmith, July 22, 1S1L 
My Dear Miss M. — Yarious and pressing 
engagements have prevented me from earlier 
assuring you of the pleasure your kind letter 
(which I regard as the commencement of our 
correspondence) afforded me. As I gave your 
reasons for delay their full weight, I am inclined 
to transpose the words of Pope, and say, "The 
mercy I to you have shown y that mercy show 
to me." I have certainly found epistolary com- 
munications one of the sweets of celibacy; and 



MRS. COOPER. 229 

although on the verge of quitting it, with its 
many advantages, do not despair of finding, 
amid the more multiplied engagements of do- 
mestic life, time to remember, in this way, you, 
my dear friend, and some others, who have long 
had a claim on my friendship. Common max- 
ims, and those which guide people ordinarily, 
are no standard for me ; and the too frequent 
result of marriage, that of contracting the heart, 
chilling the affections, and confining one's ex- 
ertions merely to the precincts of a fireside and 
a family, are unenviable consequences ; and 
into those I hope to be in no danger of falling. 
To avoid it, I am fully aware of the necessity of 
redeeming time, and acting on a digested plan, 
that hours and days may not succeed each 
other, without bearing on their wings, at least, 
some essays to do good. Our correspondence, 
my dear friend, I am disposed to hope will be 
somewhat productive of this disposition ; and 
as we are both alive to the importance and 
luxury of exercising our talents and influence 
in a good cause, so I trust we shall have free- 
dom and sincerity enough to suggest to each 
other whatever may prove of personal or rela- 
tive advantage. Should I insensibly slide into 
matrimonial supineness, and myself become a 
prey to the inactivity I so often see and so much 
deplore in others, you, dear Miss M., must 
rouse me, and tell me of the enjoyment of 
revolving round a larger orbit of usefulness.— 
When it first was known among my friends 
that I was turning my thoughts toward 
J\lcihodism t one of them used jocosely to 



230 MEMOIRS OF 

tell me, my religion was " up and be doing." 
A part of it certainly is. It is this spirit 
which benefits the world ; and our Lord and 
Master, in his errand of benevolence — in his 
seeking continual occasions of doing good, 
has left us an example, which, in our degree, it 
is our duty and interest to follow. Thus did 
the Star of Jacob pierce through the dark 
clouds of poverty and reproach ; and by the 
lustre of his deeds proclaim the divinity of his 
nature. He shall be our pattern and our guide. 
We will lose sight of the ^orid, and seek after a 
growing resemblance to the bright and morning 
Star, that we may. be lucid gems in his crown 
for ever. I cannot but reflect, with a degree of 
astonishment, on the early and strict discipline 
you exercised over your heart. You early 
manifested a taste for that true wisdom, of 
which the poet speaks, 

" Man, know thyself, all wisdom centres here." 
You were then under the bondage of self-denial. 
Now you know the omnipotent power of Divine 
love, which can make even self-denial a joy ! 
No obedience will be lasting but that which 
flows from this heaven-born principle : it is this 
alone which makes the service of God perfect 
freedom. It is this which reconciles the para- 
doxes in our religion, — " As sorrowful, yet al- 
ways rejoicing, — as poor, yet making many rich, 
— as having nothing, yet possessing all things.'' 
I sensibly feel, my dear Miss M., your candour 
in giving me such^n insight into your heart. — 
If the portrait were faithful, it was not a flatter- 
ing one ; but that new nature we are called to 



MRS. COOPER. 231 

put on — that light of life it is our privilege to 
walk in, will, I trust, effect an entire revolution 
of our habits, principles, and pursuits ; and our 
memorandum book, to the glory of Divine 
grace, will record a happy change, from the 
service of the world to the service of God. — 
You have sweetly described the change, my 
dear friend : I rejoice with you. O guard the 
sacred fire, and do not let it evaporate and ex- 
tinguish, by distracting its source. Nothing 
can lead to God which has not proceeded from 
him. We are naturally averse from him, and 
every thing within us opposes the operation of 
those fruits of the Spirit, which it has lately besn 
your happiness to testify. We are transitory 
creatures of a day. God addresses us as such, 
and warns us against anxious care for the morrow. 
Therefore, it is your privilege and mine to live 
a life of momentary dependence on the charity 
of Heaven ; that we may continually be fed 
with the bread and water of life. For want of 
this, how much I have lost ! Such a proneness 
to look forivard, without faith ; a sad species of 
unbelief* " Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, 
| to-day, and for ever." His hands of love and 
mercy are ever spread out in our behalf. 

To Miss M. 

August 17, 1811. 
My Dear Friend, — Circumstances have 
hitherto proved rather unfavourable to the cul- 
tivation both of our epistolary and personal in- 
tercourse. The balance is certainly against 
me ; and if your candour toward a friend keeps 
at all pace with it toward yourself, you will,- in 



232 MEMOIRS OF 

consideration of pressing and important en- 
gagements, indemnify me from any intentional 
or avoidable neglect. 

It is no trifling thing, dear Miss M., to be on 
the verge of quitting scenes endeared by all the 
varieties of youthful experience, the residence 
of one's whole life. Parents, the instruments 
of those comforts, and friends knit to my heart 
by the bonds of Christian love. Those things 
afford no inconsiderable exercise for the mind 
The change, though important, is pleasing* 
when viewed as the result of that guidance, 
promised to those who acknowledge God in 
their ways. There is a prospective happiness 
of being united in the Lord, quite inconceivable 
to those who have never experienced it. This 
remark I make for you, my dear friend, that 
you may guard your heart and affections, till 
that heavenly Parent, who has so narrowly and 
tenderly watched over you for good, shall 
clearly point out the path for your future life. 
Confidence in him is both a duty and a privilege. 
By way of apology only, have I devoted one 
page to a subject, not at all interesting to you 
judging you by myself in former times. The 
inference I draw, as it regards tts, is this : — that 
in the course of another month, the result of all 
my present bustle will afford me frequent oppor- 
tunities of enjoying your society, and of inter- 
changing that oneness of object we have in 
view ; to me a very pleasing anticipation; and 
in conjunction with yourself, our very dear 

friends at , to whom I present my love. I 

beg one proof of its reciprocity, viz. a remern- 



MRS. COOPER. 233 

brance of me at a throne of grace on the 27th 
instant. Will you, my dear friend, give this 
kind expression also of your friendship ? 

And now I will endeavour to answer your 
kind and acceptable letter. The dearest friends 
I have, have a property in their disposition I 
rather think not natural to me, reserve : it 
having proved no obstruction, in those cases, to 
Iove / and friendship, I was not at all disposed 
unfavourably to regard the same disposition 
which I certainly noticed in you, in the first part 
of our first interview ; though I must assure you 
I consider the sjjecimens I have had of you a very 
favourable omen of what is yet in store for us, 
should your stay in London be protracted. 

It affords me unspeakable pleasure, my dear 
friend, and I hope in some degree I am influ- 
enced by the same desire which you feel, of 
living to good purpose ; and using talents and 
influence to the glory of that God and that 
cause we have both warmly and decidedly 
espoused. The good is incalculable, which 
one individual, truly devoted to God, may effect. 
Let us both pray for an increase of that Divine 
love, which shall make us run, and delight 
ourselves in the commandments of God. I 
can testify, from happy experience, how much 
the influence of this blessed principle makes the 
path of duty easy ; and those requisitions of 
self-denial, &c, so severe and contrary to 
nature, are easy and delightful through grace. 
I have sometimes been enabled to appropriate 
to myself a line of Madame Guion's, " In self- 
denial is her joy." It is not always thus with 



234 MEMOIRS OF 

me ; but to the glory of Divine grace, I must 
acknowledge I have found, and do find it in a 
happy measure. I once heard Mr. B. say* 
" Never rest satisfied with your religion till it 
makes you happy ;" — and nothing short of it 
does satisfy me ; nothing troubles me so much, 
as the hiding of God's countenance : — his 
smile is heaven — his approbation, bliss ; or in 
the words of an elegant writer, " Whom to 
know, is wisdom — whom to fear, is rectitude — 
whom to love, is happiness." What a mercy 
it is, dear Miss M., that from such pure 
sources* so early in life, we are called to draw 
out our felicity ; and in surrendering our hearts 
to God, find that ample recompense, always 
connected with the sacrifice. My chief defi- 
ciency is a want of poverty of spirit^ and my 
constitutional hinderance is levity of spirit ; not 
that I decry cheerfulness ; it is the element, 
and properly the privilege, of the Christian only. 
It is a something not so tranquil that I speak of; 
a something which would not be allowed, were 
a proper sense of the omniscience of God duly 
estimated and received. I wish to show you 
something of the face of my soul, that we may 
mutually suggest hints for improvement, and 
recommend remedies we have proved effectual. 
London, March 7, 1812. 
My Dear Friend, — I have been a little sur- 
prised in referring to the date of your last kind 
favour, to find so much time elapsed since the 
receipt of it. The truth is, that my engage- 
ments are so much more numerous and press- 
ing now than formerly, that I must hope for the 






MRS. COOFEIt. 235 

candour and allowances of my correspondents* 
if I fail in being as punctual as in the days of 
my celibacy. My domestic avocations were 
then comparatively nothing, and I am disposed 
to congratulate myself that my taste in those 
days led me to the improvement of my mental 
powers ; for the food I then derived, I must 
now live upon by rumination. And yet, my 
dear Miss M., so powerful are the charms of a 
happy union, that notwithstanding all I have 
conceded, I would not exchange the present for 
the past. Few indeed are so blessed in this 
state ; as I possess a partner, in whose upright 
conduct and conversation I constantly behold 
an object worthy of my closest imitation. One 
equally suitable, my dear friend, I trust Provi- 
dence has in store for you. In a connection so 
important I trust you will not hastily conclude ; 
and believe me, there must be a great deal to 
compensate for the new cares and pains com- 
monly resulting from marriage ; and there 
must be in the partner of your choice, a living, 
a decided piety, to counteract the tendency this 
new relation has to wed the heart more closely 
to the world. This is indeed my point of dan- 
ger ; and I find daily need of peculiar grace, 
to have my chief treasure in heaven. You 
know, my dear friend, the interest I feel in your 
welfare. It is more than probable much time 
will not elapse ere a decision of this kind will 
take place ; and much as you are disposed to 
glory in your present unembarrassed situation, 
the chain of love may be thrown around your 
neck also, and lead you captive. Hitherto you 



236 memoirs or 

have been the prey of much and accumulated 
anxiety ; and you have had alone to struggle 
with it. Now a suitable marriage may make 
you happier, and more at ease than you have 
ever been, and give you the dearest friend you 
have ever had. But let it be your own choice ; 
and let your judgment guide your affections. 
You alone can be judge ; and above all, seek 
direction at His hands who has promised to 
direct the paths of those that love and fear him ; 
and who hath said, " No good shall be with- 
holden from them that walk uprightly." 

Forgive me, my dear friend, if I have been 
intrusive or tedious on this subject. Regard 
all I have said as flowing from a real love to 
you, and regard for your welfare. It is a mo- 
mentous business ; and as I have tried the two 
states, I am convinced that nothing short of 
an entire union of mind and pursuits, with the 
purest affection, can counterbalance the new 
pains and anxieties commonly resulting from 
the married state. With regard to my health, 
I still continue very poorly. This is a new 
and unlooked-for trial to me. I view it all in 
wisdom and love : but for it I should have no 
memento that this is a state of discipline, so free 
am I from every other trial. It sometimes 
leads me to look forward to that happy state, 
where the spirit will be no longer encumbered 
by its clay tenement, but " where it will soar 
without bound, without consuming glow." 
God is teaching me another lesson, the inade- 
quacy of every earthly good to satisfy my soul, 
without the continual enjoyment of his love and 



MRS. COOPER. 237 

presence. I hope you, my dear friend, are 
going forward steadily in the ways of God, and 
that you again enjoy the simplicity and earnest- 
ness of a country society. When you write, I 
hope to hear you have become a visiter of the 
benevolent society you mention. Many import- 
ant lessons may be learnt in the chambers of 
poverty and affliction: we are called to it by 
the example of our Divine Master, who left us 
the poor as his special legacy ; and who has 
stamped even poverty with dignity, by making 
it his own garb in the days of his incarnation. 

Preparations for the important event of next 
June occupy a good deal of my time and atten- 
tion ; as yet I do not think anxiously about it : 
I hope indeed that its approximation will more 
and more stir me up to intimate communion 
with God, and to familiarity with that solemn 
event, which is the gate we must all pass 
through to heaven. "My dear friend, if I have 
an interest in your affections, let me also have 
in your prayers, that I may be fully prepared 
for life or death. 

To Miss W. 

June 5, 1812. 

My Dear Friend, — I cannot express to 
you the concern and surprise your long silence 
has occasioned me ; particularly since I had an 
intimation from your brother that you had left 
home in consequence of illness. I have been 
led to apprehend the worst that could befall you, 
as I thought the subject of my last letter (if you 
ever received it) would have led you at any rate, 



238 MEMOIRS OF 

if you had but an interval of health or ease, to 
write me a few lines before my confinement, of 
which I am now in daily expectation. I am 
now, and have been for some time past, very 
unwell, and incapable of exertion, so that I 
cease to wish the trying hour to be protracted. 
Respecting you, I cannot feel easy until I hear 
of the state of your health and the cause of its 
decline. I feel inexpressibly for you, dear 
Mary Ann, on that subject, which I fear is still 
involved in the same painful obscurity as to its 
issue, which has so long marked it. Pray 
relieve my mind by letting me know all re- 
specting you ; and let me not have, in addition 
to the thoughtfulness connected with my pre- 
sent situation, to labour under imaginary fore- 
bodings relative to a friend who will ever be 
most dear to me. 

Since my marriage, God has given me every 
thing I could desire excepting health : in wis- 
dom, no doubt, he has deprived me of this ; 
though I have reason to fear this dispensation has 
not been so sanctified to my soul's good as he 
designed it. A time of more severe trial awaits 
me ; and my only confidence is in that God 
who is all-sufficient to deliver me. I can re- 
pose in him, and feel peculiar consolation in 
reflecting on that chain of providence which 
led to our union. I feel I am still in the hands 
of the same Parent who superintends all our 
concerns. Allow me to beg of you, my dear 
friend, to remember me in your prayers. I and 
my beloved C. frequently remember you when 
bowed together at a throne of grace.- 



MRS. COOPER, 239 

The above letter, intended for Miss W., was 
left unfinished. 

The last letter she wrote was to her brother 
at Cambridge, from which the following is ex- 
tracted. It is dated only ten days before her 
confinement : — 

To JVfr. William Hanson, Cambridge. 

June 5, 1812. 
I cannot but think it will surprise you a little, 
my dear brother, to receive a letter from one, 
who, but for the multifarious engagements of a 
married life, would have been one of the first to 
have classed herself among your correspond- 
ents. ***** * As the most re- 
sponsible, the most dignified of offices awaits you, 
I trust that influence, which alone can render it a 
delightful and easy employ, will be more and 
more experienced by you — that moved, " in 
verity, by the Holy Ghost," you may be made 
eventually the instrument of turning many of 
your fellow mortals to the path of life and hap- 
piness which Our holy religion so fully sets 
forth. I am aware, from the nature of your 
present studies, of the difficulties you have to 
combat with, in cultivating that personal piety, 
which is so delightful and so necessary for the 
future discharge of duties of a pastoral nature. 
God will, I trust, abundantly sanctify to your 
good those energies of mind with which he has 
endued you", and that they will be directed to- 
ward the glorious object of a minister of the 
Gospel. 



240 MEMOIRS OF MRS. COOPER. 

***** 

I am almost a complete prisoner, very much 
indisposed in body, and in the daily expectation 
of an event, for which my mind can only derive 
support and confidence in making God my 
refuge. 

The efficacy of religion is but little known in 
hours of ease and days of prosperity ; its be- 
nign and cheering influence is felt on the bed of 
pain and languishing, when all human help is 
impotent, and when death may receive his com- 
mission to unveil the eternal world. 

Life has to me now many more fascinations 
than it ever had before. God has bestowed 
upon me the best of earthly blessings, and I 
have known nothing like a trial since my mar- 
riage, but bodily indisposition; a merciful infu- 
sion in that cup of bliss, which otherwise might 
have intoxicated me. 

I need not tell you, my dearest William, the 
pleasure a letter from you will afford me. 

May the blessing of God attend you, my ever 
dear brother ; may your present studies con- 
duce to your best interests, and in days to come, 
to the good of many ! May you be kept from 
every snare, and be guided into all truth, and 
know more and more of the indwelling of that 
peace which passeth understanding ! My dear 
husband unites with me in kind love to you. — 
Believe me ever to remain your most affection- 
ate sister, 

Mary Cooper, 
the END. 







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